Pilate 2021 page 16

 Pilate 2021 page 16 by ric gustafson

Pilate stared at the growing crowd. " Can anyone offer testimony in defense of Jesus of Nazareth?".

" Yeshu Hannosri means trouble wherever he goes". Rabbi Jonathan frowned. " Even here at your tribunal".

Someone yelled. " This man is a born troublemaker".

" His teachings are inflaming the people throughout all Judea". Rabbi Jonathan's voice hesitated. " Starting from Galilee and spreading as far as this city".

" Did you say that this Jesus began teaching in Galilee?".

Jonathan nodded. " Yes".

" Where?".

" Capernaum on the Sea of Tiberias".

" It is in Galilee".

" Yes".

" Therefore I remand this case to Herod Antipas who is in the city right now".

Caiaphas protested. " But Prefect you have the legal right".

" This tribunal is adjourned".

research help: ' Pontius Pilate' by Paul L Maier

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Life in Christ: a wrong image

 Life in Christ: a wrong image by ric gustafson

We must acknowledge a wrong and hurtful image in our life. We should not hold onto mistaken ideas about ourselves. We should not have unrealistic beliefs about people. We should not have unrealistic beliefs about life. Most of all we should not have an unrealistic belief about God.

God wants us to shed a wrong image of ourselves and start a new image. Our relationship with God will improve and we can serve him better. Praise God's name.

research help: ' Christ Life' by Ruth Myers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Pilate 2021 page 15

 Pilate 2021 page 15 by ric gustafson

Pilate stared at Jesus. " Are you the king of the Jews?".

" Do you ask this of your own accord?". He looked up at Pilate. " Or did others tell it to you concerning me".

" What, am I a Jew?". He sneered at Jesus. " What have you done?".

" My kingship is not of this world". Jesus stared at the Prefect. " If it were, my followers would fight to defend me".

" So?". Pilate showed a puzzled look. " You are a king".

" For this I have come into the world". Jesus's voice hesitated. " Everyone who  is of the truth hears my voice".

Pilate gave Jesus a quizzical stare. " What is truth?".

He led Jesus back outside.

" I find no guilt in him".

research help: ' Pontius Pilate' by Paul L Maier

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Pilate 2021 page 14

 Pilate 2021 page 14 by ric gustafson

On both sides of Jesus were Annas, Caiaphas, Helcias and others.

Behind Jesus were Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes and elders.

Pilate stared at Jesus. He was bound, powerless and unkempt.

Pilate turned to the chief priests. " What charge do you bring against this man?".

Ananias stared at Pilate. " If he were not a criminal, we would not have brought him before you".

" Very well then,  take him out of this court". Pilate sneered. " Judge him according to your law".

" According to your law". Caiaphas now spoke up. " We are not allowed to put anyone to death".

" What charge do you bring against this man?".

A priest spoke up. " We found this man subverting our nation".

Another priest spoke up. " He claims to be a Messiah a King".

This bothered Pilate greatly. He decided to talk to this Jesus inside his reception hall.

research help: ' Pontius Pilate' by Paul L Maier

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Life in Christ: an inner identity

 Life in Christ: an inner identity by ric gustafson

Am I somebody or a nobody?. Our self  image is very important. A self image is key to a human personality and behavior. When our self image is threatened, we feel anxious and insecure. We have many pictures in our identity album. Some of these pictures are sin, spiritual failure and self will. 

God does not want our sinful past to dominate our inner identity. God wants to transform our mind. A new image with God's Word at the helm. We cannot totally change our sinful past. But we can with God's help start producing positive images as far as our identity. Praise God's name.

research help: ' Christ Life' by Ruth Myers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Life in Christ: our influences

 Life in Christ: our influences by ric gustafson

What subtle influences do we have in our life?. One influence is our environment. We could feel abandoned or rejected. This could hinder our unique beauty. Another influence is our choices. We can strive for a healthy thought and behavior pattern. We can also strive for an unhealthy pattern also.

God wants us to accept ourselves. According to God, we are wonderful and unique. We are flawed and morally guilty. We are also fully dependent on God. 

God loves us more than anything else, Praise God's name.

research help: ' Christ Life' by Ruth Myers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Life in Christ: a mirror

 Life in Christ: a mirror by ric gustafson

We need a mirror to see ourselves. We want to look at ourselves to see who we really are as a person. We look in the mirror of people's opinion of us. Disapproval by others can lead to guilt, hostility and anxiety.

God's mirror is truth and love. This is revealed in his Word. God's love for us is limitless and perfect. God gives us encouragement, strength and purpose. God's love never changes. We can look at Philippians 4:8 for inspiration. God's truth in this bible verse can give us confident, obedient and joyful living.

research help: ' Christ Life' by Ruth Myers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric