August 17, 2021: SOAP #4275:  Jeremiah 23, 25; John 19

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 19:10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore, the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” 12 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.”

OBSERVATION: Pilate claimed to have the power to free or crucify Jesus.  But when it came to his opportunity, Pilate was unable to set Jesus free. 

He could not free Jesus because there would be a riot by the Jews who were demanding crucifixion.  The Jews claimed that Pilate would not be a friend of Caesar if he let Jesus go.  There was a lot of pressure on Pilate. 

But greater than the pressure from man, was the divine will of God.  It was God’s will for Jesus to be crucified.  There was no other one who could die as payment for man’s sin! 

APPLICATION:  In Pilate, I see a parallel to our president.  I wonder why he does not take any action to stem the tide of undocumented people coming across our southern border.  It seems his hands are tied.  I believe his hands are tied by the same power that stopped Pilate from setting Jesus free. 

God is judging America for the sin of abortion.  As God called the animals to come to Noah’s ark, as God has called Jews to return to Israel, so God has called for an army of people to walk into the United States. 

There is only one thing man can do to stop God’s judgment: repent.  Judgement is a holy God’s response to sin; forgiveness is a loving God’s offer to those who repent. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, the violence of the abortion clinic has spilled out into the streets of America.  We repent and turn from our wicked ways.  (2Chronicles 7:14) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!