151. Tuesday after Fourth Sunday in Lent.
Lord, draw us after thee,
and let thy righteousness and truth keep us. Amen.
John 19, 12-16. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king, speaketh against Caesar. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in judgment seat, in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him! Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cæsar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
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At last Pilate sold his soul for the friendship of Cæsar. Up to this time he had been swaying to and fro, sometimes inclined towards the Lord, and then again yielding to the power of hell. Now he pauses, almost in despair, at the fingerpost which points straight down into the bottomless pit. His fear of the charges which may be brought against him by the furious Jews, and of Cæsar’s displeasure on account of the numerous crimes which he has committed, and of which Satan now reminds him, conquers every sentiment of justice and truth in his soul. — Pilate is to teach us that he who fears man rather than the Lord has made a most unhappy choice. What did it profit the wretched man to humor the Jews? His conscience, already weighed down by many sins, now gave him ten times more torture; and the favor of Cæsar is of short duration. Pilate was before long brought before the cruel Emperor Caligula, and was by him exiled to Gaul, where he soon went the way of Judas. That was a terrible bargain which Pilate made when, like Esau, he sold his birthright; and it should serve as a warning to all lukewarm and timid Christians. “The friendship of the world is enmity with God; whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4, 4). O, that all who wish to please both God and the world might understand betimes whither their way leads! Let them bear in mind that they are the brothers of Pilate! They are more fearful of affronting their worldly friends than of casting Jesus off by offending him. They are ashamed of his contumely, and turn aside to escape his cross. They are willing enough to be of his people; but will not confess his name, and will not follow in the footsteps of his sufferings. To them honor and power and reputation among men are more to be desired than are salvation in the Lord and fidelity toward the truth. Yes, many there are who sell their conscience for one gratification of a sensual desire, or for one little wretched and transient gain.
Ye Christians who love the Lord and hold your souls dear; beware of the favor of men, and do not turn aside by the breadth of a hair from the path of a clear conscience. The temptation to seek honors and to fear men will lie in wait for you everywhere; but by the Spirit of him who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, you shall at all times be able to be on your watch, and to tread the temptation under foot.
Give us this grace, merciful and faithful God, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Watch against the world, that frowns
Darkly to dismay thee;
Watch when she thy wishes crowns,
Smiling to betray thee;
Watch and see thou art free
From false friends, that charm thee,
While they seek to harm thee.
Watch against thyself, my soul,
See thou do not stifle
Grace that should thy thoughts control,
Nor with mercy trifle;
Pride and sin lurk within
All thy hopes to scatter;
List not when they flatter.