Daily Devotional
Are You Trying to Stay Neutral About Jesus?
“Pilate said to them, ‘What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?’ They all said to him, ‘Let Him be crucified!’ Then the governor said, ‘Why, what evil has He done?’ But they cried out all the more, saying, ‘Let Him be crucified!’ When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, ‘I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.’ And all the people answered and said, ‘His blood be on us and on our children.’ Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.”
Matthew 27:22-26
January 20, 2023
Ponder This
It is not enough to tip your hat to Jesus; you must bow the knee. It is not enough to say, “I find no fault in Him,” and think you’re all right for doing so.
The thing Pilate did that convicted him, the verdict that condemned him, was that he attempted to remain neutral. He thought he could simply wash his hands of the whole matter.
What he thought was, “I’m washing my hands of this whole affair. I am not saying yes, and I’m not saying no. It is your decision. I am neutral!” You can’t be neutral about Jesus. When Pilate said, “I am neutral. I will not make a decision”—that was the worst decision Pilate ever made. Because not to decide is to decide. Jesus said, “He who is not with Me is against Me” (Matthew 12:30).
An ocean full of water could not have washed the sin from Pilate’s hands. And when the gavel fell in Pilate’s court, another gavel fell in Heaven. Pilate was condemned when he allowed Jesus to be condemned. You cannot be neutral concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. To be neutral is to be against Him.
- Have you ever been tempted to stay neutral on matters of faith? Why or why not?
- Who do you know who is neutral on the matter of Jesus? How can you pray or encourage someone to make a decision?
Practice This
Take time to pray for a loved one or neighbor who desires to be neutral on matters of faith. Ask God to show you how to share His love with that person.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
