Lent Day 30: A Defiled Body (John 18:28-29)
Lent Day 30
A Defiled Body
John 18:28-29
28 Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.
29 So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”
◇ Today's scripture prompts us to consider what truly pleases God. What is it that God delights in? The chief priests brought Jesus to the governor's palace and presented their accusations to Governor Pilate. In doing so, they did not enter the governor's palace to avoid defiling themselves, as entering a Gentile's house was considered unclean according to rabbinical teaching—though this provision is not found in the Old Testament law.
It is commendable to be zealous enough not to enter the Roman governor's palace for fear of defilement. But does such zeal truly please God? Can one be considered clean and undefiled for merely avoiding a Gentile's house when one's heart is full of impurity? Does God delight in such cleanliness?
We cannot make ourselves clean. No matter how well we follow the law given by God, we cannot achieve the righteousness of God. That is why God sent Jesus to us. He gave His Son to bear the penalty for our sins on our behalf.
We should strive to be more like the Lord who paid the price for our sins, even if it is only a slight resemblance. To think that we can make ourselves clean is nothing but wishful thinking.
♧ Lord, thank You. Please lead us to become even slightly more like Jesus. Holy Spirit, guide us in truth! Amen!
A Defiled Body
John 18:28-29
28 Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.
29 So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”
◇ Today's scripture prompts us to consider what truly pleases God. What is it that God delights in? The chief priests brought Jesus to the governor's palace and presented their accusations to Governor Pilate. In doing so, they did not enter the governor's palace to avoid defiling themselves, as entering a Gentile's house was considered unclean according to rabbinical teaching—though this provision is not found in the Old Testament law.
It is commendable to be zealous enough not to enter the Roman governor's palace for fear of defilement. But does such zeal truly please God? Can one be considered clean and undefiled for merely avoiding a Gentile's house when one's heart is full of impurity? Does God delight in such cleanliness?
We cannot make ourselves clean. No matter how well we follow the law given by God, we cannot achieve the righteousness of God. That is why God sent Jesus to us. He gave His Son to bear the penalty for our sins on our behalf.
We should strive to be more like the Lord who paid the price for our sins, even if it is only a slight resemblance. To think that we can make ourselves clean is nothing but wishful thinking.
♧ Lord, thank You. Please lead us to become even slightly more like Jesus. Holy Spirit, guide us in truth! Amen!