Stress Test Devotional April 20
April 20, 2024
LUKE 23:13-16 | 13 Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 I will therefore have him flogged and release him.”
It was not only Jewish leaders whom Jesus asked to be forgiven. It was Roman authorities like Pilate who cynically cared more for order and popularity than justice. It was the crowd whose cheers and loyalty were fickle and the disciples whose faithfulness ebbed in favor of self-preservation.
Jesus was born in order to be a friend to sinners. He did so by refusing to hit back at enemies. He did so by welcoming traitors and sexual miscreants and Gentiles who followed no law but self interest. He did so on the cross by asking forgiveness for everyone who has erred, strayed, hurt, harmed, or fallen short of God’s goodness.
Do you have a daily practice of confession?
Review your day, including all your conversations, all your inner thoughts, and your actions. Ask for forgiveness for things done and undone, moments missed and moments when you acted selfishly.
