Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Today’s Scripture
Today’s Author
Leigh Bonner
Just before this passage in Luke 22, the chief priests and scribes ask Jesus if he is the Son of God. He replies, “You say that I am.” For the religious leaders, their own words – not any claim of Jesus – are enough to bring charges against him and hand him over to the Romans.
When Jesus appears before Pilate, the assembly accuses him of forbidding people to pay taxes to the emperor. We know what Jesus said in his lesson about the denarii, and cryptic though it may seem, he never expressly forbade people to pay their taxes. And yet the assembly draws their false conclusion about his teachings on taxes.
Pilate, strangely, seems to hear what Jesus is saying and finds no reason to bring charges. But the chief priests and crowds pressure him, so he passes the buck to Herod.
Herod finds no reason to bring charges against Jesus. He plans to have him flogged and released, but the chief priests and scribes mock Jesus, and Herod joins in.
Finally, Pilate calls everyone together and tells them, again quite clearly, that there is no reason to charge him. But the crowds no longer even hear what he is saying. Communication has totally broken down, and the crowds prevail over any remaining moral judgment of the state and religious leaders. And so, Jesus is sent to be crucified.
How many people do we send to suffer or even die because we do not truly listen to what they and other wise ones are saying? When have we allowed the crowds around us to drown out the quieter voices of truth? God goes with us when we listen to understand, stand against the crowds, and believe and declare the truth.
Summer Devotional
God Goes With Us
This summer’s devotional is a walk through the Bible. Join our pastors and staff for daily reflections on scripture passages from Genesis to Revelation. In the beginning, God said, “I will be your God and you will be my people.” Come and see how this covenant promise changes through time yet remains steadfast from generation to generation.
Each Sunday, Chris Holmes will share a short message on the texts for the week, and written reflections will go out every Monday through Thursday morning.
We wish you blessings and deeper faith this summer!
