Live to Love Scripture Encouragement John 18.33

John 18:33 “Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’" Pilate talked with the Jewish leaders and mob outside the Praetorium because the Jews would be defiled if they went inside. But Jesus was inside the Praetorium before the judgment seat of Pilate. While outside talking with the Jews we learn from Luke 23:2 what the council had agreed would compel Pilate to crucify Jesus. “And they began to accuse Him, saying, ‘We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.’" Do you see how Satan led them to twist the words of Jesus and falsely accuse Him? They found Pilate’s weak spot (self-ambition and self-preservation) and played him. They knew this information would lead to Jesus’ execution. So upon hearing this false accusation, Pilate returns to investigate along this line. “Are you the king of the Jews?” As we live with Jesus, we should expect Satan, who hates Jesus in us, to attack Him in the same way. He will twist our confidence in Christ and lead those who are threatened by it to think it is pride (calls Himself a king—thinks He is an authority). We will take careful notice the next few days at how Jesus loved in the face of such demonic opposition. Today, let’s not let those who misjudge us throw us off our purpose to love with Jesus. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com