New Opportunities
Scripture – John 19:17-22: Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) I’ve never paid much attention to Pilate. I’ve always seen him as one of background people in the story. Yet he was pulled right into the middle of God’s great act of deliverance for humankind. And it sure looks to me like he was affected by it more than he realized. In spite of the distance he tried to maintain, he somehow knew Jesus was more than a good man wrongfully condemned. This is where imagination kicks in. What happened to Pilate? Especially after a few more days passed, what did he think? How did this affect his life?
Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) We can never tell what an encounter with someone might mean – to them or us. As a witness for Christ, what do I offer people? I will be aware of what I say to people I meet and how I come across to them. I will be mindful of what I learn from them. I will also do a little research on Pilate and see what history has to say about him.
Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, remind me there are no “chance” encounters with people. Whether in the midst of a church meeting or in a grocery store check-out line, help me be your follower – your witness. Keep me open, as well, to learn from the people you bring into my life.
Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) I’ve never paid much attention to Pilate. I’ve always seen him as one of background people in the story. Yet he was pulled right into the middle of God’s great act of deliverance for humankind. And it sure looks to me like he was affected by it more than he realized. In spite of the distance he tried to maintain, he somehow knew Jesus was more than a good man wrongfully condemned. This is where imagination kicks in. What happened to Pilate? Especially after a few more days passed, what did he think? How did this affect his life?
Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) We can never tell what an encounter with someone might mean – to them or us. As a witness for Christ, what do I offer people? I will be aware of what I say to people I meet and how I come across to them. I will be mindful of what I learn from them. I will also do a little research on Pilate and see what history has to say about him.
Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, remind me there are no “chance” encounters with people. Whether in the midst of a church meeting or in a grocery store check-out line, help me be your follower – your witness. Keep me open, as well, to learn from the people you bring into my life.
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