Have you ever heard an announcer say “This show was filmed before a live studio audience” at the beginning of a television programme? What other kind of audience is there? Many years ago, a Canadian-born American television host named Art Linkletter asked children questions and their humourous replies led to him being associated with the expression “Children say the darndest things.” We are not surprised when we hear children say such things. However, we expect adults to be mature. Sadly, many adults fail to say and do what they should.
This week, Karen and I have been reading the gospel of Mark. It is amazing to read the questions that Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea from AD 26 to 36, asked Jesus and the people in Jerusalem. In Mark 15:2, we read: “And Pilate questioned Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’” After the chief priests began to accuse Jesus harshly, Pilate asked Him “Do You make no answer?” (v. 4). He then asked the multitude “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” (v. 9). Pilate continued his line of questioning with “Then what shall I do to Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” (v. 12). When the crowd shouted for Pilate to crucify Jesus, he responded with another question “Why, what evil has He done?” (v. 14). Pilate obviously had a lot of questions, but lacked the courage to stand up to the crowd, who called for the release of a notorious criminal named Barabbas, instead of an innocent man.
Of course, Jesus was not only innocent of all accusations, He was (and is) the Son of God. In the gospel that clearly shows the divinity of Jesus, John records another question that reveals Pilate’s moral weakness: “What is truth?” (18:38) in response to Jesus’ declaration “Every one who is of the truth hears My voice” (18:37). Have you heard His voice? In our busy world, we need to take time to listen to what God is saying. That will mean “unplugging” – choosing to look to the Lord for wisdom, rather than the television, social media or other sources that distract and hinder us from drawing near to God.
We all face many choices in life. By God’s grace, let’s follow the example of godly men like Joshua, who determined to be different from the ungodly men surrounding the nation of Israel. His words of exhortation serve as a succinct reminder of what is really important: “Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God and walk in all His ways and keep His commandments and hold fast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Joshua 22:5).
By His grace,
Steve