Luke 23:24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand.

Pilate is in a number of ways a pathetic figure. He was caught in circumstances beyond his control, and was too weak to stand for what he himself proclaimed was right. Luke, a Gentile, is very clear that though the Romans were the ones who actually nailed Jesus to the cross, it was the Jewish leaders who insisted on it. However, that’s no excuse for antisemitism. This is similar to the current situation in China. The current Chinese government is despicable, with a horrible track record, but that doesn’t mean that the average Chinese person is bad; they’ve just had horrible leaders for a couple of generations. It all comes back to the reality that mankind is created in the image of God, (Genesis 1:27) but is infected with the fatal disease of sin. We all have our good and admirable moments, but we also have twisted impulses to which we yield all too often. Physical courage is admirable, but moral courage is far more important. Moral courage was where Pilate was lacking, caught in a political vise between the Jewish leaders who hated Jesus, and the Roman empire, which demanded civil order so that taxes could be collected simply, and it looked like he was facing a riot. Our leaders today are often caught in similar dilemmas. They see what they feel would be best for the country, but their constituencies are sensitive to the short-term pain necessary for long-term gain, and in a democratic republic, they are always faced with compromise, the idea of what is possible. We need to pray for politicians! We need to pray for clarity as to what is right, and then above all, for moral courage to bring that about. Some politicians seem to be seeking and finding that, but many more are still in a moral fog. Only God’s truth can set them free, (John 8:32) so that’s what we need to pray for.

It’s easy to see how politicians are lacking in moral courage, but I’ve got to look at myself in the same light. As a pastor, at times I have failed to press ahead in how I felt God was leading, out of a fear of the reactions of the church members. And sometimes I’ve failed to be obedient simply because it seemed to be too much trouble! Last Sunday I preached on King Jesus, but I haven’t always kept Him as the absolute Monarch that He truly is. In my case, moral courage means total obedience to my Lord, and my record there is spotty. I need to keep my repentance up to date and make obedience to Him my absolute top priority, exercising the faith and moral courage that He provides so that I will do His will, and His alone.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for how You are guiding and growing this part of the Body of Christ. May we all have the faith and courage to follow You joyfully, whatever the immediate consequences might seem to be, so that Your name may be acknowledged as holy and Your rule and reign be established as Your will is done, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!