RUMINATIONS OF A REVEREND

Romans 12:9b, “ Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good .”   Holy Goodness. Not simply goodness, but Holy Goodness. Why can’t I just say “goodness” you might ask? Honestly, I wish I could, but trying to define goodness from our culture’s perspective is like trying to play baseball with a ball of slime. Goodness seems to morph into the morality of whoever happens to be defining the term. Using the term “holy” cements goodness in the character of God where it ultimately must rest. When we fail to define goodness based on the rock-solid character of a holy God, we twist it into the slimy forms our own fleshly desires. Goodness then becomes what we like, rather than what is truly good. Good Evil; Evil Good Isaiah 5 details the results of this shift in the people of Israel. God had cared for His people and they turned from His ways and followed their own desires. The people acted as their own gods and lived out their own morality. Throughout the chapter, God lists woe after woe ...

When Jesus stood before Pilate nearly 2000 years ago, He made this bold declaration to the Roman governor, “ You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin .”  John 19:11   Biblical scholars debate who Jesus is talking about when He says, “He who delivered me to you.” Many feel that this refers to Judas. The term “delivered” is used elsewhere in association with Judas’ betrayal. Technically speaking, Judas did not deliver Jesus to Pilate but to the chief priests, but certainly his act resulted in Jesus ending up on Pilate’s doorstep.  Others think that the chief priests were the one’s guilty of the greater sin. They delivered Jesus over to Pilate. The chief priests and Jewish leaders at the beginning of this passage in John even say, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” So, by their own admission, they delivered Jesus over to Pilate...