3/23 Quiet Time (Luke 23:1-12 ESV)

1 Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.” 6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

Jesus never forbid the people to give tribute to Caesar; in fact, he actually told His disciples to give to Caesar what is Caesar's. Pilate saw that Jesus was innocent but didn't want to deal with the crowd who kept accusing Jesus. Herod sent Jesus back because Jesus didn't give Herod what he wanted.

Both Pilate and Herod had no wisdom in making a moral and just decision; they are leaders who sought personal pleasure and power (Pilate not wanting to be responsible of Jesus and Herod seeking miracles from Jesus).

And because of Jesus, the two who were enemies became friends. It's funny how sin spreads to a person and to a crowd. It gets so easy to make relationships when Jesus isn't the King in our hearts. It gets so easy to win the hearts of people when Jesus doesn't rule in the relationship.

Help me to think about all my relationships and ask God if He is in the center of them all. Help me to befriend people in a way that pleases You!