Facing Rejection

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PODCAST

March 24th, 2012

We’ve all experienced rejection. It comes when we’re chosen last to be on a team, lose an election, or someone else gets promoted at work. Jesus has already felt the rejection of the Jewish religious leaders. They had found him guilty of blasphemy, but had no legal power to condemn him to death. So they brought him before Pontius Pilate.

Pilate ignored his own instincts about Jesus’ lack of guilt. He ignored a clear warning from his wife of Jesus’ innocence (Matt. 27:19). Making a “politically correct” decision allowed him to hold on to his position and power. Pilate relegated his right to free Jesus over to a crowd manipulated by the chief priests. Even though he personally thought Jesus innocent, he released Barabbas and turned Jesus over to be crucified.

We have a choice. Will we reject Jesus’ claim to be king as Pilate did? Or will we decide in favor of Jesus, accept him as our Savior? It’s the most important decision we will ever make.