Westside Church

April 04, 2012

When I read the Bible, I find that the Holy Spirit is more than willing to open up the text, like a key to a lock, revealing deep and significant truths. That’s when things get exciting.

Today, I want to look at Matthew’s account of Christ’s trial before Pilate:

When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!”  

Pilate didn’t like the judgment that the people were asking for. He didn’t agree with it. But he was obliged to allow this crowd to have Jesus condemned to death. He states, ‘I’m not responsible for this’, and they reply, ‘That’s ok, we will be!’

            His blood shall be on us and on our children.

This statement that condemns Christ to die is actually a prophetic word, declared unknowingly, by the people. You see, Christ’s blood isn’t like other blood. When Christ’s blood is upon you, you are blameless before God. The people thought they would take responsibility for their action, but God had other plans. Jesus would take responsibility for their action—for their sin. And where all of sinful man’s judgment was poured out upon Jesus at the cross, no judgment remained for the people that condemned him. In the blood of Jesus, the people would only find God’s mercy and grace.

Remember all that teaching about ‘love your enemies’? This was the ultimate fulfillment of it.

I hope that each person in that crowd became like the Centurion, who, looking upon Christ said, “Surely this was the Son of God”. I hope they accepted God’s love and mercy. I hope we look upon the cross this Easter season, and something about God’s love ‘clicks’ in us. I hope we can confess with confidence and faith, that Jesus was God’s plan of salvation for the world.