John 18:28 

New International Version (NIV)

Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.

For Meditation

Very interesting!

The Jewish leaders would not defile themselves by going into the palace of Pilate. Meanwhile, they were standing deep in treachery – the arrest and trial of their Messiah. Very human; isn’t it?

Offending God does not matter to us as much as the good impression we make before men. A husband would cry foul when dinner is delayed for his guests from work, which may include the lady he may be messing around with. Yet, he would not flinch. How cruel! Some church folks will kill to keep the sanctity of Sunday worship services while their hands may be deeply immersed in a plenitude of sins. What is wrong with us? Can’t we see the log in our eyes? How then can we see well to remove the speck of sawdust in the other person’s eye (Matt. 7:3-5)? If only the Jewish leaders and scholars could see their error in rejecting their Messiah, they would not have sought to kill Him!

Here was the Word of God made flesh, living among them and performing signs and wonders no human could do apart from God; yet, they failed to acknowledge Him (Jn. 1:14; 9:30-33). As Jesus told John’s disciples, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (Matt. 11:4-6). Despite all these, they refused to recognize Jesus as Messiah. In their stubborn resistance, they become blind. Strangely, they could recognize and insist on the strict observance of the Passover, which was all about Jesus, and prevent themselves from becoming ceremonially unclean by entering the Roman Governor’s Palace (Jn. 18:28). How hypocritical!

If only we would examine ourselves first and take care of our offenses against the holiness of God, we will not be guilty of hypocritical Christianity. We will encounter the power of God’s love, the aroma of His amazing grace that brings joy and peace in Christ Jesus. If only we would journey through this world with spiritual perspectives guiding us, we would avoid the offense of duplicity, and be sincere in our confession of faith.

You and I owe our Savior this commitment, for the integrity of the Gospel message.

Shalom