Life-Giving, Life-Affirming God,
As Christians we are invited to be People of the Light. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” and through the Risen Lord, You, O God, have brought light into the dark places of life. Often times the darkness has power all its own and it is difficult to see the path ahead. Sometimes we contribute to the darkness experienced by others as we live self-centered, self-focused lives. Forgive us, we pray. Help us to see and share the light of Jesus. Make us instruments of Your peace so that others might see You more clearly. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
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Please pray for our ministry with Kids Central. We have important decisions to make Wednesday at our special board meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Remember our nine children and youth church campers this week and particularly the adults who are there: John Wheeler, Sally Wheeler, Laurie Bushman, and Melanie Novak. James and Amanda Phillips were working at a Discovery Camp this weekend.
The scripture for today is Matthew 27:11-26:
Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.”But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?”But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.”Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!”Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.”Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”
So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
Grace and peace,
John McLemore
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