Bad theater on Good Friday …

You don’t have to be a theater buff to enjoy a good show.

I’ve sat in the audience of only about a half dozen professional theater productions, but I enjoyed each of them immensely. I still remember how riveted I was with the dramatic story of grace told in the production of “Les Miserables” years ago at the Curran Theater in San Francisco, so when I had an opportunity to see the same show on Broadway in New York City I jumped at the opportunity.

It was great theater!

An attempt of some not-so-good “political theater” was made a couple thousand years ago on the original “Good Friday” when Pilate, the Roman governor, stood in judgment of Jesus Christ. He knew Jesus wasn’t guilty of the charges the religious leaders made against him, but they, and the public they had stirred up, wanted Jesus dead …

“Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: ‘Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.’ Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. So the governor asked again, ‘Which of these two do you want me to release to you?’ The crowd shouted back, ‘Barabbas!’ Pilate responded, ‘Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ They shouted back, ‘Crucify him!’ “Why?” Pilate demanded. ‘What crime has he committed?’ But the mob roared even louder, ‘Crucify him!’ Matthew 27:19-23.

Caring more about his political career than dispensing justice, Pilate tried to put on a show of innocence, acting as if he had nothing to do with the ugly events he would soon give orders to be carried out …

“Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!'” Matthew 27:24.

What terrible theater!

Pretend as he may, a bowl of water couldn’t wash away Pilate’s guilt.

Just like nothing can wash away ours … except for the blood of Jesus.

Bad theater would quickly lead to great sacrifice that would bring salvation:

“For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross,” Colossians 1:19-20.

If you think the bloody cross is a great show of God’s love and grace, just wait for what He does for an encore on Sunday!

Scotty