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Fridays Are For Family - Travel Buddies[/caption]
This past week I spent a lot of time on the road, preaching a revival at another local church, and a Bible Conference several hours away. Normally these are spiritually invigorating, but physically and relationally draining times. However, I learned a lesson from my father that has stuck with me since the days of my earliest memories - always have a "travel buddy."
Looking back, I honestly can't remember a time when I didn't travel with my dad. Whether it was just a quick trip to visit a new family in the church, a "drop in" to pray for and encourage someone in the hospital, or even a long road trip to the Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, I always enjoyed those times being my dad's "travel buddy." That's why I make it a point to take one of my kids with me when I travel. I want to create those memories, and have that quality time with them, like I had with my father.
"Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin." John 19:11
At first these words that Jesus spoke to Pilate seem very strange. Jesus tells Pilate that his role in His crucifixion is not as bad as that of Caiaphas. "Caiaphas," Jesus tells Pilate, "is the greater sinner, even though you have made the final decision in this matter." This really is an unexpected judgement on the Judean Governor.
On the surface it seems that Pilate was the one that was most culpable for Jesus' death. After all, it was Pilate who passed the sentence. It was Pilate who chose the means of execution - the cross. He even tried to wash his hands of the whole thing. But, the Lord Jesus seems to be saying that there comes a certain point in wickedness when things are beyond the control of man. The seed that has been planted will surely sprout and grow into a tree. So here, standing before Jesus, Pilate found himself standing under that tree. He was now heir of the sinful decisions of those who had gone before him. No longer was it possible for Pilate to put a stop to this national sin. It would have taken a miracle to put a halt to the murder of Jesus.
