Transforming Encounters: The 40-Day Challenge (Luke)Sample

They say that there is something good in every man, even though it may not seem so at first glance. Even in Pilate: he has become a world-wide reminder of ‘hand washing’. That notorious servant of a foreign regime whom all generations have hated, blamed, despised, belittled, and smugly mocked. How could it not have become clear to him (if not immediately, then at least during those many hearings of Jesus) who this is about - the Son of God, the Savior of the world?!

At first it seemed that he might be a positive person. Almost a good guy. Why did he turn out to be so unpopular, even hated? Why does everyone consider him a loser who missed the opportunity of a lifetime to become famous? A chance to be admired, to be remembered forever for his insight, foresight, courage, even to be worshipped? It would be nice if it were that simple. It’s possible that he, looking back, would regretfully wish for it... He missed it by so little …

If only he had persisted in his judgment. If only he had taken responsibility, hadn’t given in to the pressure of majority opinion. If only he had risked... believed that truth has no price. If only he’d recognized the Messiah in Jesus... If only?

The thing that bothers me a little is that this Pilate is somehow too familiar and close to me. As if neither the good guy nor the loser is too far from me.

Choose today to become a person who readily takes responsibility and fights for the truth because he recognizes that Jesus is the Messiah.