PILATE and Herod were at enmity with each other, and now what happens as we read in these verses in Luke 23? They were made friends together at the expense of our Lord and Saviour.
Jesus had been betrayed by Judas and brought by the High Priest and others to Pilate, that he might condemn Him as they had.
Pilate has to say, “I find no fault in this man,” and then hoping to escape some responsibility no doubt, he sends Jesus to Herod, who was at Jerusalem at that time. Herod was glad, and hoped to see some miracle done by Jesus.
He questioned Jesus with many words, but Jesus answered him nothing, well knowing Herod’s character and curiosity.
The result of the interview was that Herod set Jesus at naught, and mocked Him with mock royalty and sent Him again to Pilate.
These two governors, in high position, shake hands as it were over the rejection of Christ. How solemn this is!
Reader, how is it with you? Are you allowing some friendship, some association, some pleasure, or even business, to keep you away from Christ and all the blessings He has secured for all who trust in Him? He came to suffer, “the just for the unjust” (1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18)), to die for the ungodly (Rom. 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)), to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)), His very coming, His very death proving our dire need, our sinful condition, our unfitness for the presence of a holy God. Well may we challenge ourselves as to how we stand in relation to Christ. “What think ye of Christ?” is the Lord’s own challenge to the Pharisees in Matt. 22:4242Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. (Matthew 22:42), and we may ask each other as to how we stand in relation to Him, God’s “unspeakable gift,” through Whom alone we are pardoned and saved. Quite lately a young acquaintance of mine, in very bad health, had been led away from the simple Gospel by a teacher of Theosophy and its literature. One night he had a vivid dream in which this teacher, Mr.―, and Jesus appeared before him.
In his dream he was asked to decide for one or the other. He realized that he could not trust the teachings of Mr. — in connection with Theosophy, but that all he knew of Jesus was true, and that He was altogether trustworthy. He there and then decided for Jesus. To show how God was working, he told his brother next morning of his dream and his decision, and asked him to burn all the books and magazines he had been reading. Since that time he has given further evidence of his trust in Jesus the Saviour of sinners.
God speaks at times in a dream, in a vision of the night that He may withdraw man from his purpose and hide pride from him (Job 33:15-2415In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 16Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, 17That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. 18He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. 19He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: 20So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. 21His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. 22Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. 23If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness: 24Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. (Job 33:15‑24)) that he may be saved from going down into the pit: for God says, “I have found a ransom.” Think of that wonderful ransom―Christ Himself! ―and of the precious blood that was shed that you and I might be redeemed to God. O friend, I beseech you to allow nothing to keep you away from Christ. He says, “Come unto Me” (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)). Again He says, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)). “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36, 3736For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36‑37)). Neither Theosophy nor any other modern error can satisfy the conscience as to sin, or meet the claims of a holy God.
You can have no certainty as to the future, apart from trusting Christ and His finished work. The Gospel bides true forever (1 Peter 1:2525But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1 Peter 1:25)), and it ever points to one person―Jesus―the Saviour of sinners Who is “the Author of Eternal Salvation unto all them that obey Him” (Heb. vs. 9). “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)). P. E. P.