What I Have Written, I Have Written
Originally scheduled for June 28
Pontius Pilate would be almost unknown to
history were it not for the crucifixion of Jesus, the Christ. By all
accounts he was a shrewd politician, well-versed in the Roman
methods of keeping a conquered province under control. Indeed, his
instincts concerning Jesus revealed a great deal about Roman
methods. He knew quite well the man was innocent, and attempted to
give the Jewish hierarchy some symbolic satisfaction without too
great an injustice. He was a merciful man — until it got risky. Like
many bureaucrats sense, he did not have the ability to risk it all
by doing the right thing no matter what the cost. But even after
things got a little out of hand he was not averse to twisting the
knife. He knew that Roman law required that the crucifixion’s victim
have a little placard which described his crime. Pilate knew that
being “King of the Jews” was not really a crime — but once it was on
that little placard it could not be altered. It was his way of
striking back at the chief priests.
He probably didn’t realize that God is in the
habit of using these little foibles of man to work his works in an
unexpected way. For example, in John 11:49-52, we find the high
priest prophesying that it is good for the people that one man
should die for them. As high priest he was making that prophecy on
behalf of God — but he didn’t know it. He thought he was making a
political argument. Why is it that this happens? It is because even
in the worst of times, God is sovereign. What man considers
expedient, God can make it useful for his eternal purposes.
Consider, if you will, the sacrifice which is
made for Passover. Passover celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish
people from Egypt. Later in the Old Testament, Egypt is often used
as a symbol for sin. So it is seen as a picture of God’s delivering
the Jewish people from their sins. Interestingly, the sacrifice in
Passover is a relatively minor element. Like much of the ceremonial
law in the Old Testament, you see quite a bit about how the
sacrifices to be prepared, what kind of animal is eligible for the
sacrifice and so on. In the Lord’s supper, however, the sacrifice is
the center of thought. In the Old Testament we have the sacrifice of
a lamb, by man. In the New Testament we have the sacrifice of The
Lamb Of God for the benefit of man.
It is not just simply an adaptation of whatever
was at hand. This is something God planned from the beginning. He is
drawing for the Jewish people of the picture of the sacrifice to
come. When it arrives, they must discover that God had a meaning
hidden in Passover, showing the sacrifice of The Lamb. The meaning
is hidden — in plain sight. It is not until the sacrifice of Christ
that it becomes clear what God really had in mind. It is God’s way
of telling us that no matter how smart we are, we’re not going to be
able to figure out everything in advance. It also lets us know,
however, that God in his sovereignty has everything planned and will
work all things together for the good of those who love him.
So, as you take the bread in the cup this
morning, remember that you are seeing the sovereignty of God —
awesome, regal and overpowering — displayed for you in these simple
elements. Our God
reigns, and even in the simplest of things once his children to
recognize this. Remember that the sacrifice of Christ led to the
establishment of the church — and your salvation.
