Tag: judge

Understand this saying . . .

I FIND HIM NOT GUILTY

What must have been going through Pilate’s head when he was questioning Yahoshua? Yes, we get a glimpse of his thoughts but not the inner struggle and that is what i find fascinating. What was his inner struggle in those moments. Certainly there was a battle raging in his heart and mind; “‘Take Him yourselves and crucify Him,’ Pilate said, ‘I find Him not guilty.’” Everyone has struggles, have you seen the meme that states, “Be kind, everyone is struggling with something.” Oh, I know the scene at the Governor’s Mansion reveals a heartless account of all involved in the betrayal of Yahoshua, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t inner struggle. Here is a portion of the account.

“Then Pilate took Yahoshua and flogged Him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head and arrayed Him in a purple robe. They came up to Him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ And struck Him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, ‘See, I am bringing Him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.’ So Yahoshua came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, ‘Behold the man!’ When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, ‘Crucify Him, crucify Him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find Him not guilty.” (John 19:1-6)

The struggle here is evident, although Pilate had Yahoshua flogged and He was mocked and disrespected, the pronouncement was made from a true understanding, “I find Him not guilty.” Yahoshua, was in that moment taking on the sins of the world, the sins of those mocking Him and ridiculing Him, for those shouting, “Crucify Him!” Understanding, that in the end, when He returns as the victor, riding in the clouds, that He will be returning as the King of kings and the Master of masters. He is the Everlasting King of Israel and we gentiles are grafted into that Kingdom, thanks to the work of Yahoshua.

Even now however, Yahoshua is on trial. Not just from those outside the fellowship of believers, but those also of the household of faith. For it is true everyone is struggling with something. If not for the finished work of Yahoshua, not a soul would be spared the suffering of eternal separation from YHWH. Oh perhaps, one might find favor in the eyes of YHWH, as Noah did, as Abraham did . . . But not on the scale that we have today thanks to Yahoshua. HalleluYah!

Over the last five posts, i have been writing about the Signs that would set the stage for Yahoshua’s triumphant return. One area that i pointed out was, “The love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:9-12 — Here is the passage that reveals the heart of struggle within those who would say today that they are believers in Yahoshua. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My Name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.”

i think it is important for us to remember and to build on our faith while we still can. Because, there is coming a time when we will be under such great persecution that many will fall away, betray one another, fall for the false teachings that have and will continue to lead many astray and allow for our hearts to grow cold. The struggle within our hearts and minds are real. The struggle to forgive others, the struggle to see those through the eyes of Yahoshua, “‘Who condemns you?’ Yahoshua asked the woman, ‘No one Adonai,’ Yahoshua said, ‘Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.’” Or to those who have given in to weakness, “‘Do you love Me?’ Yahoshua asked Peter, and Peter replied, ‘Yes Adonai, I love you!’ Yahoshua said, “Feed My sheep.’”

Salvation is in Yahoshua, there is no other name to which one can call upon for forgiveness. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. “Behold the lamb of Elohim, who takes away the sin of the world.” It is by grace, through faith, that our names are written in the Lambs Book of Life! Yet, History repeats . . . Some call it a foreshadowing, regardless, we seem not to learn. As the Israelites in the desert so we tend to forget the goodness of Elohim. Both, His power and His forgiveness. May we never forget what Yahoshua did for us on the cross.

Remember, no matter the battle you are facing, or the struggles in your heart and mind, Yahoshua our High Priest has and is praying for you. “I am praying for them . . . Holy Father, keep them in Your Name . . . That they may be one . . . I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one . . . Sanctify them in the Truth; Your Word is Truth . . . That they also may be sanctified in Truth.” Portions taken from John 17

Pilate’s words, “I find Him not guilty.” Are the very words we receive when we put our faith in Yahoshua, for He took our guilt and shame upon Himself and suffered and died in our place. That where He is we may also be! The accuser, the evil one, stands and accuses us; while our advocate the High Priest prays for us; And because of the work of Yahoshua on the cross, He who judges the earth declares, “I find him not guilty!”

Behold the LAMB and BELIEVE! Time is getting short.

You are loved,
cj

“Will I find Faith . . .”

“Will I find Faith . . .”

This week i want us to take a look at the Parable of the persistent widow, found in Luke 18:1-8. Here Jesus contrasts the actions of an unrighteous judge, being nagged by a widow, to the acts of a loving God, and the prayers of His faithful. Jesus ends His parable with;

“And the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to His elect, who cry to him day and night? Will He delay long over them? I tell you, He will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?’” Luke 18:6-8

The unrighteous judge grants justice to the widow who persisted, nagged him, to the point he responded. God who is loving and desires our good, will be all the more quick to respond. However, here is where the lesson gets deeper, “. . . will He find faith on earth?” Ouch, if that doesn’t sting, you are reading it wrong. Sometimes we get tired of waiting in prayer, having a persistent faith in God moving on our behalf. Let me remind you Joseph remained in prison for years as he waited in prayer for crimes he did not commit. He, of course, is finally vindicated and raised to such authority in Egypt that only Pharaoh had more authority. (see Genesis 39-41)

You see, God’s answers are not in our timing, and speed is relative, when talking about a God who doesn’t live within space or time as we know it. But, He is not slow to answer, and when He does answer, it is suddenly, and unexpectedly. Unexpected, because sometimes He doesn’t answer them the way we have been praying for them. He may be teaching us, waiting for us to mature before granting our answer. It may not be exactly what “we” wanted but, it will be what is true, right, impactful and “HIS WILL!” Remember, even Jesus prayed, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)

In the meantime, we need to know that Satan is out and about looking for anyone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8-9, tells us, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” He, the devil, is persistent. He doesn’t tire of doing evil, he is simply waiting for opportune times. When we are weak, or tired, or struggling . . . he prepares to pounce. Luke 4:13, says, “And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.” If he was this persistent with Jesus, the Son of God, just how much more will he be with us who often battle with a lack of faith?

We live in a world that gives up far too quickly, because, giving up is easy to do. We move on to paths of least resistance. We quit because the task looks impossible. We look for happiness and fulfillment in others, in a man or a woman, in a job or a hobby, in something or anything else, when we feel God hasn’t answered our prayers. It is why i linger on, ponder more, pray unceasingly, and remind myself even of this line, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Will He, find us waiting faithfully for Him, in word, in deed, in love, in prayer . . . Let me finish the last bit of the passage in 1 Peter 5:10-11;

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Be encouraged, don’t give up waiting in prayer, do not think God’s delays are a punishment but rather take the time in waiting to discover all that God has for you, in and through, Christ Jesus our Lord! Pray more, yet, listen more than you speak. Read more, pray what you read, that it would encourage you, listen to it as Jesus speaks to you. Allow the Holy Spirit to have His way in your heart and mind as you commune with the God of the universe, the Lord of your life, the one who calls you His friend.

You are Love,

cj