Bible Thoughts

October 1, 2000

Pilate eventually consented to the Jews' cries to crucify Christ and he goes down in history as a spineless ruler. His examination of the Lord had caused him to conclude that Christ was not guilty. He offered to release Christ. The crowd would not agree. So Pilate consented.

Pilate "found no fault" in the Lord. Yet, he allowed one whom he judged as innocent to be put to death. His name is written in the annals of history for all to see his lack of character and principle.

Jesus had no fault when it came to his life. He lived as God would have a man to live. He set an example for every disciple in every age to follow. Not one accusation of wrong against Christ could be proven in regard to his conduct upon earth. His personal conduct was without reproach.

Jesus had no fault when it came to his teaching. The words he spoke were words of truth. He taught men how to live a righteous life. He prepared them, through his words, for the death he would die and the kingdom he would establish. The teaching of Christ can still be found in his New Testament. What the Lord taught was perfect and man did not, and cannot, improve upon his messages.

In every aspect of the Lord's life while upon earth, not one blemish appears. He is the only one who ever lived upon this earth that had no faults.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So to is the image of our lives. What we do, where we go, how we act when no one is around is the ultimate test of who we are and what we will become. The person we are when we have no fear of getting caught is the truest display of our character for it is in private that we feel freest to shed the facades of life and act as we would like.

When I read, I like to put myself into the story and imagine things as if I were really there walking with the characters and experiencing their adventures. I picture Jesus at the beginning of His ministry teaching in His sermon on the mount(Matthew 5-7). The crowds had never experienced teaching quite like His. He spoke “as one having authority (7:29 ) and “when He came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed Him” (8:1).

Based upon His statement in John 14:15, I suppose that there were some in the multitudes which followed Him in that time just as there are today that were more lip service then true believers. There were those who were following Him more for the sensational aspect of His teachings than for what was really His intended purpose. In a blanket effort to teach everyone, both those who were focused on the entertainment value of His miracles and those who were truly interested in following His teachings, Jesus makes the statement, “If you love me, do my commandments.”

Such a simple request. Yet it has the most profound implications. It was meant for both the people of Jesus’ time as well as for us today. Are we following all of Jesus’ commandments? Have we made the word of God the rule by which we live our lives both in public and private? With a little self-analysis we can test our character and through the faith of a mustard seed we can find the strength to make sure that the image our lives present is the true reflection of God’s word.-Joe Coo

On the wall in front of me there’s a picture of a lighthouse, and when I turn around there are more pictures of lighthouses. Throughout the Bible we read that God is our light. 1 John1:5 states that God is light and in him is no darkness at all.

Now what does that have to do with the lighthouse?. First the lighthouse serves a purpose it was not built just for show and the light it gives is not there to make it look good. Lighthouses are situated where all can see them, they do not hide the light they give. They have been built well, on a good foundation so that it can stand the test of time(they were built to last). Their light shines bright, even when all seems lost outside. They provide a home for the birds of the air, and keep them safe. They are a guide, a helper to the ships they guide them in safely and send them on their way. The sailors see it as a friend, but they also recognize it as a warning, a warning of the danger that lies below.

God is very much like the lighthouse, he is light in a world full of darkness. He has not provided a light just for show. God has always been and will always be the only true light, his foundation is strong, and he will last forever. He does not hide the light from anyone; all are free to follow it. He provides safety for those who follow him, and destroys those who do not take heed of his warning. He is our strength, he helps us when all seems lost, and he carries us when we feel like we can’t go on. We see him as our father(protector), but must never forget his warning that will lead to death.

God is our lighthouse, just as we need to be lighthouses for this world. We need to live Godly lives so that we can shine in this world. We as saints need to shine to help guide the sinners home, to show them the way to eternal life; a home with God.-Vaughn Botha

It is a wonderful blessing that God does not have that sort of concern for us. He warns regardless of whether we like it or not. "Am I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?"-F. B. Shepherd