Author Topic: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall  (Read 17342 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Richard Myers

  • Servant
  • Posts: 44592
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
    • The Remnant Online
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #20 on: March 05, 2018, 06:08:39 AM »
Amen, jim.  The Bible tells us how Jesus developed such character, and as we partake of His nature, God will allow stronger temptations to come to us that we might be strengthened in character also. "Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered." Hebrews 5:8.

We too will glory in our tribulation when we realize it works our good and God's glory as we abide in Jesus. Repeating acts of obedience creates good habits. On the other hand rejecting truth repeatedly works character in the opposite direction. In today's reading we find this truth revealed in the life of Pilot who not only crucified the Son of God, but punished him greatly before He was crucified. He had an innocent Jesus flogged before he murdered him!

     Here Pilate showed his weakness. He had declared that Jesus was innocent, yet he was willing for Him to be scourged to pacify His accusers. He would sacrifice justice and principle in order to compromise with the mob. This placed him at a disadvantage. The crowd presumed upon his indecision, and clamored the more for the life of the prisoner. If at the first Pilate had stood firm, refusing to condemn a man whom he found guiltless, he would have broken the fatal chain that was to bind him in remorse and guilt as long as he lived. Had he carried out his convictions of right, the Jews would not have presumed to dictate to him. Christ would have been put to death, but the guilt would not have rested upon Pilate. But Pilate had taken step after step in the violation of his conscience. He had excused himself from judging with justice and equity, and he now found himself almost helpless in the hands of the priests and rulers. His wavering and indecision proved his ruin.   


Sad to see the results of this one rejection of truth. So it is today, it may be that rejecting one truth today may be the last time grace could be successful in turning the life around from sin unto righteousness.



Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 3002
  • Following the Lamb
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #21 on: March 05, 2018, 09:04:12 AM »
Amen, Jim and Richard! There are a trove of lessons for us in the treatment of Christ in Pilate's judgment hall and what He faced before Herod. I was impressed with how Jesus' blood was flowing at this point--the sacrifice for our sins was being made, and He laid down His life that we might be saved.

I never really thought about it until the Holy Spirit impressed me with it this morning, but it was from the point of Gethsemane that Christ began to stand in a different attitude than before--He was feeling the weight of our guilt, and was to know what it would mean to feel separated from His Father. That was weighing on Him--and His blood began to be shed in Gethsemane, when he sweat as it were great drops of blood.

"Christ was now standing in a different attitude from that in which He had ever stood before. His suffering can best be described in the words of the prophet, 'Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of hosts.' Zech. 13:7. As the substitute and surety for sinful man, Christ was suffering under divine justice. He saw what justice meant. Hitherto He had been as an intercessor for others; now He longed to have an intercessor for Himself." {The Desire of Ages, page 686, paragraph 4}

Christ knew what it meant to suffer for our sins. Here, even in the judgment hall of Pilate, he is also bleeding. Oh, wonderful Savior! His blood was shed for me! I gladly receive Him and will let Him cleanse me from every stain of sin!

"The Roman governor, though familiar with cruel scenes, was moved with sympathy for the suffering prisoner, who, condemned and scourged, with bleeding brow and lacerated back, still had the bearing of a king upon his throne. But the priests declared, 'We have a law, and by our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.'" {The Desire Ages, 736, paragraph 2}

Even though He was feeling what it was like to be condemned for our sins, He still maintained His godlike bearing of a king. Christ's character did not change, even though the way He felt, and the weight of condemnation that He was to bear for us, was an infinite sacrifice. Let us behold this matchless love and be changed! Love awakens love in our hearts!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

thx4mercy

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 74
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #22 on: March 05, 2018, 09:21:22 AM »
Has there ever been anybody anymore spineless than Pilate was!!  May God help me to never be like that.

Interesting thought about how Jesus started to shed His blood for me in Gethsemane.  I've always pictured that when He got up from the ground there His mind was completely and totally made up at that point.  Nothing could have caused Him to waiver!

JimB

  • Servant
  • Assistant Administrator
  • Posts: 7446
  • Pro 12:28 in the pathway thereof there is no death
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #23 on: March 05, 2018, 11:10:46 AM »
Has there ever been anybody anymore spineless than Pilate was!!  May God help me to never be like that.
Yes, spineless he was. However, that is anyone outside of Christ. It's not easy to do the right thing when  a person is abiding outside of Christ. I think of not too many hours into the future when Peter denied Christ. Peter was a committed disciple of Christ, even converted before this point but yet look at his actions. Then I'm reminded of the children of Israel and I think of these verses...

1Cor. 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.[/i]

Thanks for sharing with us thx4mercy. I appreciate your input and loving talking about our loving Savior!!
By communion with God in nature, the mind is uplifted, and the heart finds rest.  {DA 291.1}

Richard Myers

  • Servant
  • Posts: 44592
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
    • The Remnant Online
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #24 on: May 31, 2018, 06:11:29 AM »
God looks upon the heart, the motives for why we do what we do. Character is what God is looking for in man. What is character? Character is who we are. Moral character goes to the motives of the heart. Our actions and words reveal to a great degree our moral character, for out the heart the mouth speaketh. But, we cannot know the heart of another, so we cannot know if someone is about to receive Christ, or why someone does what he does.

But, if one is a liar, we can know that if he lies. In today's reading, Pilot's character was understood by the world and the church. He did not want to sentence Christ to death, for he knew Jesus to be innocent. And, he knew the character of the leaders of Israel. Both Pilot and the leaders attempted to use their knowledge of the faulty character of each other in their attempt to either crucify or not crucify the Savior.

    The priests thought that with the weak and vacillating Pilate they could carry through their plans without trouble. Before this he had signed the death warrant hastily, condemning to death men they knew were not worthy of death. In his estimation the life of a prisoner was of little account; whether he were innocent or guilty was of no special consequence. The priests hoped that Pilate would now inflict the death penalty on Jesus without giving Him a hearing.


How is it with our character? Do the world and the church understand who we are? What has been our experience? Are we witnessing for Christ or against Him? Today, through God's grace we can be a faithful witness.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 3002
  • Following the Lamb
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #25 on: May 31, 2018, 03:18:22 PM »
Amen, Richard! Character is so essential!

The character of Christ is a revelation of what we are to be through a full surrender to Him. We are not God, but we are to be made partakers of the divine nature. I love how Christ is clearly revealed in character to us, along with how He thought and felt, so this may become our experience by genuine righteousness by faith. His life continually reveals that all of the fruits of the Spirit are seen in the life no matter how adverse one's circumstances when there is a continual surrender of the will to God.

"There stood the Son of God, wearing the robe of mockery and the crown of thorns. Stripped to the waist, His back showed the long, cruel stripes, from which the blood flowed freely. His face was stained with blood, and bore the marks of exhaustion and pain; but never had it appeared more beautiful than now. The Saviour's visage was not marred before His enemies. Every feature expressed gentleness and resignation and the tenderest pity for His cruel foes. In His manner there was no cowardly weakness, but the strength and dignity of long-suffering. In striking contrast was the prisoner at His side. Every line of the countenance of Barabbas proclaimed him the hardened ruffian that he was. The contrast spoke to every beholder. Some of the spectators were weeping. As they looked upon Jesus, their hearts were full of sympathy. Even the priests and rulers were convicted that He was all that He claimed to be." {The Desire of Ages, page 734, paragraph 4}
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Pastor Sean Brizendine

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 3002
  • Following the Lamb
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #26 on: August 26, 2018, 05:22:42 AM »
As I behold Jesus, I am so blessed by the clear revelation of His countenance--how His face looked before His enemies. He did not have a scowl or frown at those who were putting him to death. He had a countenance that revealed God's character--He, who was to bear God's just punishment for sin had come to offer infinite mercy to those who wanted Him dead. If they only knew Him. If they only understood the heights of love and bliss accessible to them by surrendering to God and coming into harmony with His will, even though such an experience could only be had by coming into conflict with the world, the flesh, and the devil. But what is a momentary lifetime in comparison to eternity? May we realize in Jesus what we have really been given!!! For each He consents to bear the utmost abuse and cruelty, that we may have life! This love melts my heart and thrills me with new joy this morning, for I choose to have Jesus live out His life in me--even revealing Himself in my countenance today! May this be your experience with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing (true conversion through beholding and surrendering fully to Jesus), for our countenances will also be a witness that Jesus is in us when we abide in Him!

"There stood the Son of God, wearing the robe of mockery and the crown of thorns. Stripped to the waist, His back showed the long, cruel stripes, from which the blood flowed freely. His face was stained with blood, and bore the marks of exhaustion and pain; but never had it appeared more beautiful than now. The Saviour's visage was not marred before His enemies. Every feature expressed gentleness and resignation and the tenderest pity for His cruel foes. In His manner there was no cowardly weakness, but the strength and dignity of long-suffering. In striking contrast was the prisoner at His side. Every line of the countenance of Barabbas proclaimed him the hardened ruffian that he was. The contrast spoke to every beholder. Some of the spectators were weeping. As they looked upon Jesus, their hearts were full of sympathy. Even the priests and rulers were convicted that He was all that He claimed to be." {The Desire of Ages, page 734, paragraph 4}
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Dorine

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 2704
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #27 on: August 26, 2018, 08:42:34 AM »
"Pilate looked at the men who had Jesus in charge, and then his gaze rested searchingly on Jesus. He had had to deal with all kinds of criminals; but never before had a man bearing marks of such goodness and nobility been brought before him. On His face he saw no sign of guilt, no expression of fear, no boldness or defiance. He saw a man of calm and dignified bearing, whose countenance bore not the marks of a criminal, but the signature of heaven."

He was convicted but he would not allow it to bring him to surrender.

"Pilate longed to deliver Jesus. But he saw that he could not do this, and yet retain his own position and honor. Rather than lose his worldly power, he chose to sacrifice an innocent life. How many, to escape loss or suffering, in like manner sacrifice principle. Conscience and duty point one way, and self-interest points another. The current sets strongly in the wrong direction, and he who compromises with evil is swept away into the thick darkness of guilt."

Save us Father from the sin of self importance. You have spoken to my heart and I thank you for never giving up on us. May these stories we read every day keep us humble, teachable and obedient.
But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press  toward the mark. Phil. 3:13,14

Pastor Sean Brizendine

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 3002
  • Following the Lamb
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #28 on: November 21, 2018, 06:24:24 AM »
The divine nature is manifest in character--character that exudes all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing under the most exciting and trying circumstances, even as we see in Jesus when He was under trial. He was living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, and we are invited through Him to enter into His experience by a living-faith surrender. Let us behold the Man of Calvary, and find in Him healing for our sin-sick souls to be made whole--to have new hearts and minds that have peace that passes understanding and love for our enemies.

"Christ's enemies had demanded a miracle as evidence of His divinity. They had evidence far greater than any they had sought. As their cruelty degraded His torturers below humanity into the likeness of Satan, so did His meekness and patience exalt Jesus above humanity, and prove His kinship to God. His abasement was the pledge of His exaltation. The blood drops of agony that from His wounded temples flowed down His face and beard were the pledge of His anointing with 'the oil of gladness' (Hebrews 1:9.) as our great high priest." {The Desire of Ages, page 734, paragraph 4}
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Dorine

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 2704
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #29 on: November 21, 2018, 08:09:21 AM »
"When Christ shall come to the earth again, not as a prisoner surrounded by a rabble will men see Him. They will see Him then as heaven's King. Christ will come in His own glory, in the glory of His Father, and the glory of the holy angels. Ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands of angels, the beautiful and triumphant sons of God, possessing surpassing loveliness and glory, will escort Him on His way. Then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory, and before Him shall be gathered all nations. Then every eye shall see Him, and they also that pierced Him. In the place of a crown of thorns, He will wear a crown of glory,--a crown within a crown. In place of that old purple kingly robe, He will be clothed in raiment of whitest white, "so as no fuller on earth can white them." Mark 9:3. And on His vesture and on His thigh a name will be written, "King of kings, and Lord of lords." Revelation 19:16. Those who mocked and smote Him will be there. The priests and rulers will behold again the scene in the judgment hall. Every circumstance will appear before them, as if written in letters of fire. Then those who prayed, "His blood be on us, and on our children," will receive the answer to their prayer. Then the whole world will know and understand. They will realize who and what they, poor, feeble, finite beings, have been warring against. In awful agony and horror they will cry to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" Revelation 6:16, 17."

What a day that will be when my Saviour I shall see,
When I look upon His face the One who saved me by His grace.
When He takes me by the hand and leads me through the promised land
What a day glorious day that will be.
But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press  toward the mark. Phil. 3:13,14

Pastor Sean Brizendine

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 3002
  • Following the Lamb
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #30 on: February 16, 2019, 02:56:04 AM »
As I prayerfully contemplate the infinite love of God in giving His Son to die for me, and to die for you, I am drawn to the countenance of Jesus. I behold Him whose countenance was not marred before His enemies. Jesus' face did not show anger and rage, but compassion and pity for those who were trying to find every artifice to put Him to death. So He looks upon you and me. He sees us in our ignorance, guilt, and confusion, or wherever we may find ourselves, and offers us His character in place of our own. His countenance can shine forth from ours this Sabbath day; His righteousness may be wrought out in us, that instead of faces misshaped by sin and guilt, we may, by choosing to fully surrender to Christ whose loveliness of character has power to transform us, also express His light to those around us. Yield your heart fully to Him for His blood to cleanse; accept the gift of the Holy Spirit who has come to draw you to behold Jesus, so He may impart to you all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing. Look and live. The light of Jesus' countenance shines upon you today. Will you look up to the Lamb of Calvary?

"There stood the Son of God, wearing the robe of mockery and the crown of thorns. Stripped to the waist, His back showed the long, cruel stripes, from which the blood flowed freely. His face was stained with blood, and bore the marks of exhaustion and pain; but never had it appeared more beautiful than now. The Saviour's visage was not marred before His enemies. Every feature expressed gentleness and resignation and the tenderest pity for His cruel foes. In His manner there was no cowardly weakness, but the strength and dignity of long-suffering. In striking contrast was the prisoner at His side. Every line of the countenance of Barabbas proclaimed him the hardened ruffian that he was. The contrast spoke to every beholder. Some of the spectators were weeping. As they looked upon Jesus, their hearts were full of sympathy. Even the priests and rulers were convicted that He was all that He claimed to be." {The Desire of Ages, page 735, paragraph 4}
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Richard Myers

  • Servant
  • Posts: 44592
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
    • The Remnant Online
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #31 on: February 16, 2019, 06:39:16 AM »
Amen Pastor Sean. Wonder O heavens and be astonish O Earth! Herein is revealed God's grace. Even Pilot understood that Christ was innocent. He had never seen such as Jesus. " Pilate was astonished at His bearing." He thought Jesus "a god." What would this ruler do with Jesus whom he knew was innocent? Who was his master? If not Christ, then he  was being led by Satan. So we see this.

  "When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just Person: see ye to it." In fear and self-condemnation Pilate looked upon the Saviour. In the vast sea of upturned faces, His alone was peaceful. About His head a soft light seemed to shine. Pilate said in his heart, He is a God. Turning to the multitude he declared, I am clear of His blood. Take ye Him, and crucify Him. But mark ye, priests and rulers, I pronounce Him a just man. May He whom He claims as His Father judge you and not me for this day's work. Then to Jesus he said, Forgive me for this act; I cannot save You. And when he had again scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.   


So it will be in the end. There will be those who will condemn true Christians when convicted of their innocence. Others seeing the injustice will stand with those being persecuted. It is our witness of His character that will reveal there is a God in heaven who has power to transform sinner into saints.   "And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I [am] the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes." Ezekiel 36:23. This speaks God to His people today. Such a precious promise. The power of grace!

Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Dorine

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 2704
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #32 on: February 16, 2019, 06:56:42 AM »
"The Roman soldiers that surrounded Christ were not all hardened; some were looking earnestly into His face for one evidence that He was a criminal or dangerous character. From time to time they would turn and cast a look of contempt upon Barabbas. It needed no deep insight to read him through and through. Again they would turn to the One upon trial. They looked at the divine sufferer with feelings of deep pity. The silent submission of Christ stamped upon their minds the scene, never to be effaced until they either acknowledged Him as the Christ, or by rejecting Him decided their own destiny."

The beauty of Christ's character continues to shine forth throughout His cruel treatment. The most hardened hearts were touched. But it must do more than just 'touch' them. Everyone has a decision to make.

Do we accept Jesus as the Messiah and allow Him to change our lives or an impostor to be mocked and rejected growing more indifferent and cutting off for ever the One who went through all of this so that you and I may have the opportunity to have a home in heaven with Him. We may recoil from the treatment Jesus received but every time we knowingly sin we are wounding Him afresh.


May this heart rending account help us realize more deeply what Jesus has done for us and the longing of His heart to have every soul in the kingdom with Him. "Come and follow me" He says. He will not disappoint anyone that comes with a humble, submissive heart.
But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press  toward the mark. Phil. 3:13,14

Beacon

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 1844
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #33 on: May 13, 2019, 08:03:20 PM »
"Pilate looked at the men who had Jesus in charge, and then his gaze rested searchingly on Jesus. He had had to deal with all kinds of criminals; but never before had a man bearing marks of such goodness and nobility been brought before him. On His face he saw no sign of guilt, no expression of fear, no boldness or defiance. He saw a man of calm and dignified bearing, whose countenance bore not the marks of a criminal, but the signature of heaven."


 
Isaiah 26 King James Version (KJV)

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:

The mind of Jesus had ever been focused on His Heavenly Father, the source of all His power during His earthly mission and when He faced the final hours of His earthly journey His faith remained steadfast and calm. We also may have this same experience when our turn comes to face the Satanic hatred.  We have been told that we should spend a thoughtful hour everyday reflecting on the various aspects of the great cost of our redemption. Are you doing this? Am I ? Are we being distracted by earthly concerns or pleasures. How much time do you/I spend watching T.V.  How many hours are consumed by our time on computers on FaceBook or some other computer offerings. How much time of our day is consumed by our I-Phones?? We must "stop" being distracted and focus on things of eternal value. I am reminded of the words of a song....

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS, LOOK FULL IN HIS WONDERFUL FACE & THE THINGS OF EARTH WILL GROW STRANGELY DIM - IN THE LIGHT OF HIS GLORY AND GRACE.
Look up and listen for the shout.

Pastor Sean Brizendine

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 3002
  • Following the Lamb
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #34 on: May 14, 2019, 05:42:47 AM »
Amen, Brother Beacon! Only as we keep our eyes of faith focused on Jesus for continual power--even the divine nature--will we be able to experience the power of His grace to keep our hearts white as snow and resist all the alluring temptations that the world, the flesh and the devil seek to incite us to choose. Let us not allow our minds to wander from Jesus, for we can be tempted to lose our perfect peace in His presence not by active choice, but by unintentional neglect.

I am moved by the reason Jesus was silent before Herod. I pray that Jesus will not be silent to me, but keep speaking His words of healing, grace and guidance as I need Him to ever more deeply heal the bruises of my soul!

"The mission of Christ in this world was not to gratify idle curiosity. He came to heal the brokenhearted. Could He have spoken any word to heal the bruises of sin-sick souls, He would not have kept silent. But He had no words for those who would but trample the truth under their unholy feet." {The Desire of Ages, page 730, paragraph 3}

I take this very personally. If I am "not hearing from God" in my day to day life, or my devotional experiences seem to be dry and lifeless, could it be that He has already told me something, and I have been trampling His word under my unholy feet? Could it be that the reason Jesus does not say more to me (or any of us) is that we have been neglecting heaven-sent light and would not be prepared to receive more? Jesus said, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now" (John 16:12). I realize that we are living in the time of the latter rain, when the Holy Spirit is to be poured out without measure. We know that the role of the Holy Spirit as the third Person of the Godhead is to exalt Christ. But we are largely unprepared to receive such an outpouring as a church. But God is preparing us as we learn of Christ. It is by sending this "thoughtful hour" with Jesus that the Holy Spirit personalizes what I am reading and awakens me to the next step in His plan for my life so that I may not depart from the will of the Heavenly Father in the least particular as long as I am abiding in Christ. Oh, how we need Jesus CONTINUALLY to do any good thing. Apart from Him we can do nothing. With Him, there is joy, victory and success (not one of the fruits of the Spirit will be missing in our lives as we abide in Christ). And this is the victory of revealing the character of Christ amid all the trials and tribulations that surround us (or internally afflict us), even as Christ perfectly exemplified as our Substitute and Surety God's perfect character all the way to Calvary's cross!
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}

Dorine

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 2704
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #35 on: May 14, 2019, 07:25:34 AM »
"The Roman soldiers that surrounded Christ were not all hardened; some were looking earnestly into His face for one evidence that He was a criminal or dangerous character. From time to time they would turn and cast a look of contempt upon Barabbas. It needed no deep insight to read him through and through. Again they would turn to the One upon trial. They looked at the divine sufferer with feelings of deep pity. The silent submission of Christ stamped upon their minds the scene, never to be effaced until they either acknowledged Him as the Christ, or by rejecting Him decided their own destiny."

Many times silence is anything but silent. Thank you Pastor Sean for the thoughts you shared with us this morning. I love how the Holy Spirit speaks to one person, thoughts that will enlighten, encourage, or reprove another.


I am reminded again of the vital importance of hearing and doing. The story of Pilate shows the terrible struggle between good and evil. It's not enough to believe with all your heart if you are not willing to submit with all your heart.  Pilate decided his own destiny just as each of us are doing each day.


If any have overwhelming feelings of sin and guilt and hopelessness, don't despair. That's why Jesus went to the cross. He willingly took all that ugliness upon Himself.  He offers us peace and joy and a new heart as we give to Him our total surrender. He looks upon us as if we had never sinned. That is huge. Do we really grasp it? I thank Him every day for what He was willing to go through for me/you. But it doesn't end there. He continues to daily, moment by moment work in our lives as we ask and allow Him to.  How can we read the account of what Jesus endured for us and what He wants to do on our behalf right now and not humbly fall to our knees in full submission to His will?
But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press  toward the mark. Phil. 3:13,14

Beacon

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 1844
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #36 on: August 08, 2019, 09:35:08 PM »
"Pilate longed to deliver Jesus. But he saw that he could not do this, and yet retain his own position and honor. Rather than lose his worldly power, he chose to sacrifice an innocent life. How many, to escape loss or suffering, in like manner sacrifice principle. Conscience and duty point one way, and self-interest points another. The current sets strongly in the wrong direction, and he who compromises with evil is swept away into the thick darkness of guilt."


 I find myself at a loss for words after thinking about what I've just read from this chapter.  As it says in the above paragraph " How many, to escape loss or suffering, in like manner sacrifice principle? "  I feel a personal need to evaluate where I stand! I say that I love Jesus. I preach from time to time at our local church. I pass out many pieces of truth filled literature. I post encouraging thoughts through media similar to this post. I support God's work on earth with my tithe and offerings.  But the question remains..." If I was on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict me? Does my life demonstrate a "total living commitment to Jesus in every aspect of my life."? Or would I try to save my earthly life and like Peter deny my Lord? I pray that we "ALL" will be willing to take the advice of the apostle Paul who gave us good counsel when he said in. 2nd Corinthians 13:5...."Keep examining yourselves to see whether you are continuing in the faith. Test yourselves! You know, don’t you, that Jesus the Messiah lives in you? Could it be that we are failing the test?". Jesus said..."You are either for me ( 100%) or against me." Which will it be??
Look up and listen for the shout.

Richard Myers

  • Servant
  • Posts: 44592
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
    • The Remnant Online
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #37 on: August 09, 2019, 06:07:37 AM »
Amen, dear Brother. We need to know our state of being. Do we ask Jesus to show us our sins, to reveal our condition? If we do, He will not leave us ignorant. Do we spend a thoughtful hour a day beholding Jesus that we might be converted daily? It is a moment by moment experience. We need Jesus continually.

Moses at the end of his life sinned. But, he had an intercessor who forgave his sin. It was his habit to look to Jesus continually. When he, like Job, sinned, he repented of his sin. We are in a little different situation. We live in the anti-typical Day of Atonement. We have the opportunity to go through a time of trouble such as never was. Thus, we will be tested and tried to a greater degree than most have been. Do we appreciate the opportunity? Do we understand what this means? Are we perfecting a character that will not be deceived, that will not give in?

Character is what God cares about. While one known sin reveals we are not abiding in Christ and do no have eternal life, it is more important that we understand it is the trend of life that reveals our character. When Moses sinned, his heart was broken when he realized what he had done. When David was reproved of his sin, he repented. When Job was reproved, he repented of his sin. When we are reproved by that still small voice, what do we do? What did Pilot do when he saw that Jesus was innocent? What was his habit in life? God revealed to Pilot in clear lines the truth, but it was Pilot's character that won out in that day of test and trial.

     The priests thought that with the weak and vacillating Pilate they could carry through their plans without trouble. Before this he had signed the death warrant hastily, condemning to death men they knew were not worthy of death. In his estimation the life of a prisoner was of little account; whether he were innocent or guilty was of no special consequence. The priests hoped that Pilate would now inflict the death penalty on Jesus without giving Him a hearing. This they besought as a favor on the occasion of their great national festival.   


The Holy Spirit is speaking to you and me today in an effort to help us turn from our fallen nature and seek to partake of God's divine nature that we might glorify God on this one day. By beholding His grace, we are empowered to choose rightly. It is the goodness of God that brings repentance. We need to see that goodness each day in order to receive that grace. Grace is more than a word, it is the power that transforms sinners like you and me into saints like Enoch, David, Job, Daniel, Peter, James, John, and Moses.

The character is revealed in what we do each day. Look at the trend of the life.

    Pilate at this time had no thought of condemning Jesus. He knew that the Jews had accused Him through hatred and prejudice. He knew what his duty was. Justice demanded that Christ should be immediately released. But Pilate dreaded the ill will of the people. Should he refuse to give Jesus into their hands, a tumult would be raised, and this he feared to meet.


The Jews understood the character of Pilot.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Dorine

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 2704
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #38 on: August 09, 2019, 07:44:02 AM »
    "Christ's enemies had demanded a miracle as evidence of His divinity. They had evidence far greater than any they had sought. As their cruelty degraded His torturers below humanity into the likeness of Satan, so did His meekness and patience exalt Jesus above humanity, and prove His kinship to God. His abasement was the pledge of His exaltation. The blood drops of agony that from His wounded temples flowed down His face and beard were the pledge of His anointing with "the oil of gladness" (Hebrews 1:9.) as our great high priest."

What a contrast is presented here. As hard as it is to read this account it's a time to rejoice as we observe what our precious Saviour went through to obtain our salvation. I do not comprehend it but my heart is filled with gratitude. I feel so humbled to know that He did all this for me. As I walk with Him each day and claim His promises I know that soon we will be standing on the sea of glass never to experience sin again.
But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press  toward the mark. Phil. 3:13,14

Pastor Sean Brizendine

  • Full Member
  • Posts: 3002
  • Following the Lamb
Re: The Desire of Ages--77--In Pilate's Judgment Hall
« Reply #39 on: August 09, 2019, 08:39:25 AM »
Praise the Lord for this wonderful time of sharing!

When we accept Christ's truth, we are free indeed! If only Pilate would have yielded his heart to Christ instead of neglecting to act upon the the truth!

 "Christ affirmed that His word was in itself a key which would unlock the mystery to those who were prepared to receive it. It had a self-commending power, and this was the secret of the spread of His kingdom of truth. He desired Pilate to understand that only by receiving and appropriating truth could his ruined nature be reconstructed." {The Desire of Ages, page 727, paragraph 3}


May we surrender the whole heart to Christ so He can make us what He designs for us to be.   
"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {The Desire of Ages, 676.4}