Live to Love Scripture Encouragement John 18.31

John 18:31 So Pilate said to them, "Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law." The Jews said to him, "We are not permitted to put anyone to death," Pilate’s statement here represents a change in what was arranged the night before between Caiaphas and Pilate. On Thursday night Pilate was all in with the plan to execute Jesus under Roman law. Then he got his wife’s, Claudia’s, message about her dream, warning him to have nothing to do with this righteous man. You can see that’s exactly what Pilate was trying to do. He was trying to put it back on them. "Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law." They probably had the same conversation the night before. The Romans were needed in order to get rid of Jesus once and for all. Jewish law did not permit them to execute Jesus for anything He had done. Sometimes we know something doesn’t feel right. There’s a nagging pang deep within telling us, “Don’t do it.” “Don’t say it.” Deep down we know we should put on the brakes and turn around. Go another way. But we don’t. That’s where Pilate was that Good Friday morning. I hope we can pause today and remind ourselves to seek the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness for times we ignored His gracious warnings and purpose going forward that we will stop and turn away from temptation. It’s loving Jesus with our whole hearts. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com