Want to finish strong? Don’t repeat the mistakes of this Easter character
Do you ever get burned out by the commercialization of Easter?
I know I do. I find myself entirely confused about how the greatest event in human history has gotten lost in a holiday celebration featuring bunnies, pastels, and candy.
Even phrases like “He is risen” can lose their punch amidst a sea of frivolous things vying for our attention.
So how can we turn our attention back to the Savior of the world who conquered sin, death, and Satan forever?
By finding ourselves in the story.
Finding yourself in the Easter story
Personally, I tend to see glimpses of myself in who I think is one of the most intriguing characters in the whole story.
- Wanting to take a bold stand but oftentimes becoming more concerned with what the crowd thinks and cowering in fear.
- Assertively voicing my convictions while my actions do not always match.
This figure may not be who you would expect amidst this eclectic group of enemies and devoted followers…
Judas is the deceitful villain who backstabbed Jesus for a modest bounty.
Peter is the waffling friend who denies he even knows Jesus, only to be redeemed after the resurrection.
John is the loyal confidant standing beneath the cross and being entrusted to look out for Jesus’s mother, Mary.
These guys may be main characters, but the one who never ceases to fascinate me is the one and only Pontius Pilate.
What’s the big deal about Pilate?
The first time I watched The Passion of the Christ, I was instantly intrigued with Pontius Pilate.
This guy had tremendous authority, yet remained hesitant to take action.
He flaunted his power to Jesus— “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”—yet keeps looking for a way to pass off the decision to the crowd or Herod. So long as he didn’t have to be the one to lay down the hammer, he must’ve figured he would be able to sleep at night.
But why? Did he secretly believe Jesus was who he said he was? Did his wife’s dream about Jesus being an innocent man convince him something else was at play?
What I find most fascinating? His last recorded act in Scripture.
The religious leaders are emphatic that Jesus not be remembered as anything more than a raging lunatic. They point out the sign Pilate had arranged to be hung at the top of the cross above the head of the man soon to be crucified: “Jesus of Nazareth: King of the Jews.”
“No! He only SAID he was king of the Jews. Change the wording!” they insisted.
Could his response be his last feeble attempt to make his secret beliefs known to the world?
I picture Pontius Pilate keeping tabs on the ensuing crucifixion. Is this man really who he said he is? What is going to happen? What have I done?
Every one of us has moments of doubt, second-guessing, and actions we’ve taken that are not our proudest moments.
Thankfully this does not need to be the end of the story.
Finishing strong in your own story
Pontius Pilate may have heard the news about Jesus’s resurrection a few days later and turned his life around. He may have repented and supported the early church in some way or another.
Or maybe he forever allowed public perception of him to define how he would respond and continued to prioritize human praise over that of God’s for the rest of his life with the buried regret of allowing the murder of an innocent man on his watch.
We don’t know for sure what happened with Pilate after that fateful day when he passively granted the mob their wish of Jesus’s crucifixion.
But you and I have the opportunity to write the finishing touches on our own stories in an effort to complete our race in this life as strong as possible.
Will you live with conviction today?
Will your actions reflect your convictions?
Will you step up to the plate when your leadership and decision-making is desperately needed?
Let’s not wait until it’s too late and allow peer pressure or lesser things to distract us.
Jesus has risen from the dead and has given us hope that must be shared with the world.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity.
Which character in the Easter story do you relate most with?
Looking for another way to refocus on the resurrection this Easter? Download the first chapter of my book, One Step Closer, for free here.
That’s encouraging, Ryan! There was a time, I lived fearlessly, defiantly and boldly in what I believed, like a salmon swimming against the flow. It is very nesissary in this life, walking with God, apart from the world and it’s ways.
I will recapture that mindset.
Thanks for sharing this Jeremiah. Love the salmon picture as well… Great to hear you are focused on recapturing your bold mindset.
Thank you for sharing this, Ryan. When I was a teenager, I saw myself like Peter – worried about what others would think of my faith if I spoke out. I don’t remember if I flat out denied I knew Jesus, but I remember a mentor of mine telling me to influence as many people for Christ while I was young, because when I got old, people wouldn’t listen. I didn’t really understand what she meant back then, but I do now. Have a blessed Easter.
I think we are all Peter at some point. Although I don’t think anyone is ever “too old” to influence and impact others! Enjoy your Easter.
Ryan – You might enjoy Pontius Pilate: A Novel to discover more about this player in the Passion drama. “Award-winning historian and best-selling author Paul L. Maier has created a compelling style of documentary fiction. He uses what is historically known of Pilate’s life and rise to power, adds in the known political climate of first-century Judea, and unveils the colorful, untold story that changed history for all time.” I’ve enjoyed it a few times as my Easter preparation.
I had not heard of that, thanks for sharing Jane. I will have to check that out. Always have enjoyed historical fiction