This week as we began John chapter 19, I was reminded of the time I wrote about Pilate in my recent book “For Him – Living for God, not for People.” Since the book is about people-pleasing, I remember God showed me this story as a prime example of what happens if we value the opinions of others too highly, and the truth of who God says He is falls to the bottom of our list of priorities.
At face value, it looks like a real tragedy that Pilate knows the truth and yet cannot act on it. Even still, we know the end of the story — Pilate had to do this in order for the plan of Jesus’ redemption for the world to move forward. What God willed to happen was going to happen no matter what.
It was interesting how Pastor Jason put in on Sunday when he talked about how Pilate operated in his position of authority, and had “...spent his whole life trying to keep the peace.”
I thought about how “keeping the peace” can really cost us. There are moments where we are moving in the Spirit as “peace-makers”, but then there are moments where we move in the flesh as “peace-keepers.” There is a difference. One is motivated by unity and love, and the other is motivated by self-preservation and scarcity. Pilate was feeling that fear of the crowd rioting or overcoming, maybe deep inside this was a threat to his perceived authority, and he was doing anything to “keep” that from happening.
Jesus, however, was a peace-maker. He stepped on the scene to bring peace to the hearts of man in relation to God. He came to earth in order to provide the peace our souls desperately need. He made peace, He didn’t try desperately to keep it.
The gospel of Matthew gives us an even deeper insight in the internal torment that was likely happening inside Pilate as he wrestled with crucifying an innocent man. The night before, his wife had a dream. She urgently communicated to her husband, “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” (Matthew 27:19 - NIV)
Pilate was given chance after chance to stand up for truth, and yet he defaulted to appeasing the crowd even when justice was nowhere in sight. Innocence was before him, yet he chose the “easier” path of doing what the people wanted.
I want to challenge you, friend — when do you take the easier road in order to not upset those who are around you? When are you put in positions where you know standing up for the truth is right, yet you choose to go along? What are the moments you are most tempted to brush things under the rug and stay quiet?
I know this struggle all too well, as you can see I even wrote a whole book on it! But I believe that God is calling us out of this place, and calling us into a place of boldness for Him. There is great freedom in setting the people-pleasing aside, and choosing to walk in faith instead, because we realize that the opinions of everyone else simply don’t matter as much as the opinion of our Savior.
As we learn from Pilate and his actions, I pray that God would open our hearts to the ways that we fold and do not stand for the truth. Let’s ask for more boldness today, more conviction and truth in our words and actions, and the will to walk forward and stand in faith!
At face value, it looks like a real tragedy that Pilate knows the truth and yet cannot act on it. Even still, we know the end of the story — Pilate had to do this in order for the plan of Jesus’ redemption for the world to move forward. What God willed to happen was going to happen no matter what.
It was interesting how Pastor Jason put in on Sunday when he talked about how Pilate operated in his position of authority, and had “...spent his whole life trying to keep the peace.”
I thought about how “keeping the peace” can really cost us. There are moments where we are moving in the Spirit as “peace-makers”, but then there are moments where we move in the flesh as “peace-keepers.” There is a difference. One is motivated by unity and love, and the other is motivated by self-preservation and scarcity. Pilate was feeling that fear of the crowd rioting or overcoming, maybe deep inside this was a threat to his perceived authority, and he was doing anything to “keep” that from happening.
Jesus, however, was a peace-maker. He stepped on the scene to bring peace to the hearts of man in relation to God. He came to earth in order to provide the peace our souls desperately need. He made peace, He didn’t try desperately to keep it.
The gospel of Matthew gives us an even deeper insight in the internal torment that was likely happening inside Pilate as he wrestled with crucifying an innocent man. The night before, his wife had a dream. She urgently communicated to her husband, “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” (Matthew 27:19 - NIV)
Pilate was given chance after chance to stand up for truth, and yet he defaulted to appeasing the crowd even when justice was nowhere in sight. Innocence was before him, yet he chose the “easier” path of doing what the people wanted.
I want to challenge you, friend — when do you take the easier road in order to not upset those who are around you? When are you put in positions where you know standing up for the truth is right, yet you choose to go along? What are the moments you are most tempted to brush things under the rug and stay quiet?
I know this struggle all too well, as you can see I even wrote a whole book on it! But I believe that God is calling us out of this place, and calling us into a place of boldness for Him. There is great freedom in setting the people-pleasing aside, and choosing to walk in faith instead, because we realize that the opinions of everyone else simply don’t matter as much as the opinion of our Savior.
As we learn from Pilate and his actions, I pray that God would open our hearts to the ways that we fold and do not stand for the truth. Let’s ask for more boldness today, more conviction and truth in our words and actions, and the will to walk forward and stand in faith!
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.