John 18:28 "Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover."
Isn't it amazing what people will do to justify their actions to themselves?
Isn't it amazing what we will do to justify our actions to ourselves? Isn't it
amazing what I will do to justify my actions to myself? I am not
discounting these actions toward Jesus are all part of God's plan of
redemption. I am not discounting that God ordained certain things to be done in
order for this plan to be carried out. We see throughout Scripture, especially
concerning the life of Jesus, when something was done "that the saying of
Jesus might be fulfilled." (John 18:32) Yet, it strikes me to the
heart that human nature is such that we do what we want to do, accusing or
excusing, according to our own nature.
These men had taken Jesus to Annas, father-in-law to Caiaphas, and then to
Caiaphas the high priest. They could do nothing with Jesus for they knew He had
done nothing wrong; yet, they were not going to release Him. They then
took Jesus to Pilate's hall of judgment. Pilate would ask them concerning the
accusations against Jesus. Again, they knew Jesus had done no wrong, but had to
say something. They simply said to Pilate, "If he were not a malefactor
(criminal), we would not have delivered him up unto thee." Where are
the accusations against Jesus? Why were they not specific when asked about His
wrongdoing? (Which by the way, we all know He did no wrong.)
But my thought for today is found in the fact they would not go inside the
judgment hall because they did not want to be defiled. If they had been
defiled by going into a place where Gentiles dwelt, they would not be able to
eat the passover. What I am about to say will edge on judging them, but
it is very apparent what is taking place. They were steeped in
self-righteousness. Jesus had spoken of this on more than one occasion.
"You clean the outside of the cup, but inside is filth."
In another place, "You are whited sepulchres." In other
words, Jesus was saying to them, "You want to give the appearance of being
undefiled, but inside is nothing but absolute defilement." These men
could possibly have been some who accused the disciples of Jesus of eating corn
without first washing their hands.
Now, they might have given the appearance of doing right, but inside they were
completely defiled because they were "bearing false witness" against
their neighbor, Jesus. Yet, they felt if they went inside they would
dirty themselves. Here is the irony of the situation. They didn't go inside
because they wanted to eat the passover. The One they delivered to Pilate
WAS THE PASSOVER LAMB. "For even Christ our passover is sacrificed
for us." (1 Corinthians 5:7) "He was oppressed,
and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to
the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not
his mouth." (Isaiah 53:7)
Here is the part that convicts me? Do I walk around with anger,
bitterness, hatred, envy, jealousy or some other hidden thing inside while
giving the appearance that I am walking in God's will? Am I more
concerned with the outside rather than the condition of my heart? Am I
harboring something that is preventing me from closeness with my Lord?
"Search Me, O God" by James E. Orr
Search me, O God, and know my heart today,
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray;
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.