Pastor’s Letter – April 10, 2020 – Holy Week: Good Friday

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.

John 19:15

Dear Church and Friends,

Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. We are shocked by that reality because he was a disciple, one of the twelve. But today, this statement of the priests takes us way beyond betrayal. This leaves the tinny taste of hypocrisy on the tongue.

When the chief priests answer Pilate they say, “We have no king but Caesar.” Really? Are they willing to abandon God’s promise to the house of David? Are they no longer looking for Messiah to return? Are they saying that in the here and now they have no other allegiance but to a gentile king?

This is nothing more than political calculating, driven by faithless hypocrisy. The chief priests should know better! And just as I get rhythm and passion for my sermon I hear the Lord say, “Haven’t you abandoned me too?”

What a crime, that Pilate would be the voice of reason. That he would be the one to ask the reasonable question. How insulting it is to the priests and the mob that no one else stood up for Jesus that day. They were so blood thirsty for their desire that they abandoned all compassion.

There I go again, preaching. “Don’t you do the same?” I hear the Spirit call. “How many other thrones, other kings, are there in your house, David?” How many times have I said, “Away with Him” just so I could have my desire?

music: Matthew Boswell and the Boyce College Choir.

Prayer Requests: Please pray for the Shilt Family today.

Catechism: The Principles of the Christian Religion.

• Question 60: What other main benefit do we get by receiving Christ?
• Answer: Sanctification. Whereby we are freed from the dominion of sin and the image of God is renewed in us.
• Question 61: How is the sanctification seen?
• Answer: In repentance and new obedience springing from it.

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”

All my best.

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

John 19:19