February 13, Day 44 – He Included Us
- Dr. Eric Stricker
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Both the Old Testament and New Testament readings for today dovetail prophetically to reveal and identify the Person and work of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God. It is amazing how – from before the foundation of the world – God has devised and set into motion His eternal plan. Here in these Scriptures, as we consider the unfolding of God’s plan by His divine decree, I am astonished and blessed to note the precision of every detail. For example, consider the difficulties of Egyptian bondage; its effects on the Hebrews; the hardness and stupidity of Pharaoh’s heart; and God’s sovereign control over the entire panorama. Think about the nature and application of each of the plagues as a rebuke against the various gods of Egypt – all leading climactically up to the deaths of the Egyptian firstborn – even within Pharaoh’s own household. In Exodus 12, the “blood … on the houses where you are” was a prophetic sign. When the LORD “saw it,” He promised to “pass over” them, so that “no destructive plague would touch them” (12:13). The blood indicated that a substitutionary death had already occurred in that household. In addition, think about how the Passover lamb in Exodus points to the future, selfless, sacrificial death of our Lord – Who became the offering – the Lamb of God – for us all. When we recognize how all of these activities and events fit into the grand design conceived by our loving Creator, we should be overwhelmed with gratitude. And, remember that He included us in His plan. God literally moved heaven and earth to save us from sin, death, and hell. We should praise the Lord!
Psalm 21:1-7 identifies many of the gracious blessings that God has lavishly poured out on us. In verse 1, David reminds us to “rejoice in the strength” of the LORD. He enables us to experience the joy of victories – not just one – but many. Nothing in the universe can overcome the strength of God. In verse 2, David addresses God’s answers to his prayers – “You have not withheld the request of his lips.” God answers our prayers! Our relationship with Him is not one-sided – it is fellowship with our Creator. In verses 4-6, David emphasizes God’s “rich and eternal blessings.” “A crown of pure gold; life itself; length of days (forever); splendor and majesty.” But notice in verse 6, David states that God has made him “glad with the joy of His presence.” Knowing the presence of God is a blessing beyond our description – that God is with us; before us; behind us; above us; around us; within us, and for us. Because of His “unfailing love,” we are never alone or far from Him (verse 7). Nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God” (cf., Romans 8:11-39).
We come then to Matthew 27:11-44 where we see Jesus before the politically ineffective Pilate. Here is a Roman leader who wants to please everyone and ends up pleasing no one. Pilate seems to express a serious interest in Jesus, but he cannot bring himself to go against the chief priests, the elders, or the people. We detect that Pilate, “who knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him” (verse 18), somehow desired to release Jesus, but his weak leadership allowed him to be swayed by the pressures of the crowd (verse 20). In fact, Pilate reveals two incredible leadership flaws about himself: [1] Pilate ignored the message of his wife, whose dream caused her a great deal of suffering because of this “innocent man” (verse 19). A good, loving wife is not always right, but she is seldom wrong. This is especially true for a husband whose wife cares deeply about him, his work, his family, etc. God has made a wife to be the husband’s better half – standing at his side – where the man ought to listen to and consider carefully everything she has to say. How foolish of Pilate to ignore her! A good leader always considers the insights of his wife – his life’s partner. [2] Notice Pilate’s question to the crowd: “What shall I do, then, with Jesus?” (verse 22). A good leader never relinquishes his decision-making responsibilities to “the crowds.” Crowds are simply mobs – followers – not leaders. This was clearly not their decision to make – it was Pilate’s … and he failed on both counts!