“God, meanwhile, never enters a shouting match with Satan. Truth need not scream. He stands permanently, quietly, pleading, ever present. No tricks, no side shows, no temptations, just open proof.”- Max Lucado
“A third time [Pilate] said to [the crowd], ‘Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish him and release him.’ But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he be crucified. And their voices prevailed.”- Luke 23:22-23 (ESV)
In Chapter 13 (“Well . . . Almost”) of No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, Max Lucado talks about a famous exemplar of the word almost. Pontius Pilate. Because Pilate almost pardoned the Prince of Peace. Above all, Pilate possessed the power, the choice, and the signet ring. But the voices of the crowd prevailed.
However, Pastor Lucado notes, at least three other voices existed for Pilate to heed. The voice of:
- Jesus. Pilate stood eye to eye with the compelling Nazarene who came to reveal the truth. Most significantly, Jesus’ silence drowned out the crowds demands. Yet Pilate failed to listen.
- His wife. After a dream that caused her much suffering, Pilate’s wife called Jesus righteous. But Pilate ignored her.
- Himself. Surely, Pilate saw through the facade of Ananias and Caiaphas. Certainly, Pilate heard his conscience speak.
Surely, Pilate heard their voices. But he didn’t. Instead, Satan’s voices prevailed.
In conclusion, Max counsels:
“Washing your hands a thousand times won’t free you from the guilt of an opportunity ignored. It’s one thing to forgive yourself for something you did. It is something else to try to forgive yourself for something you might have done, but didn’t.
Jesus knew that all along. He never has had room for ‘almost in his vocabulary. . . . ‘Almost’ may count in horseshoes and hand grenades, but with the Master, it is just as good as ‘never.’ ”
Today’s question: Have you ever entered a shouting match with Satan? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Divine calculation – the cross?”