The trail before Pilate

The Jews brought Jesus to Pilate as a criminal facing a guilty charge and the punishment for their crimes. I don't know the exact circumstance a criminal would be brought to Pilate and not to any other government official but it seems that once a criminal is brought before him, he or she would proved to be guilty by the result of Pilate's interrogations and by his own sense of judgment. In the case for Jesus, Pilate's interrogations proved Jesus to be innocent. Stott points out that "on five distinct occasions Pilate is recorded as having declared Jesus innocent." I feel that the trial by Pilate was God's way of declaring to the world that Jesus was indeed innocent. He was sinless in God's eyes and for those who do not fear God-Pilate's testimony states "I find no basis for a charge against him."(John 18:38) There was nothing in Jesus that deserved punishment-let alone the punishment by death. However, He was indeed put to death and put to death by crucifixion. It's very puzzling to me that as I follow the story unfold, I find layers of irony and unexpected outcomes that turns out as it should have turned out-according to God's will.
The Jews brought Jesus to Pilate so that Pilate- a person of power in the world would declare Jesus as guilty and worthy of punishment by death. But, they got exactly the opposite. Pilate declared Jesus to be innocent. This should have foiled the plans of the Jews to have Jesus killed. Jesus should have been set free. Pilate's interrogations found no basis for Jesus' guilt and Pilate's heart was not with the Jews to put Jesus to death. Nevertheless, Pilate's final judgment fell in the favor of the Jews. At this one might think that Jesus became a victim in the hands of evil men but verse 31 of John 18 says that "This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death He was going to die would be fulfilled." "This" meaning the trail by Pilate.
For the Jews, a trail by Pilate would fulfill their desires to have Jesus killed and whatever their insidious motives may have been, they were given what they desired. However, it was ultimately God's will that was fulfilled. Jesus knew what would happen to Him despite His innocence and He did not fight against it because He knew the will of God and chose to obey.

This story makes me want to declare that Jesus was not a victim. He suffered in the hands of evil men and He died for my sins but He was not a victim of these evil men and He is not a victim of my sins. He is God and God's precious gift to the world. It is too amazing for me to fathom the full implications of the true outcome of this trial by Pilate. This trail declared Jesus to be innocent yet He was punished by death and it is His death on the cross that declares us to be innocent though we have been guilty since birth. Surely this is not the work of men but the work of God.

The Trial before the Sanhedrin

As I was reading today's reflection, once again, I was reminded that our lord, Jesus Christ, didn't surely come to be served but to serve. These people in the courtyard were making false statements just to prosecute Jesus. Just to see him die. Just to see him get hurt. If someone accuse me of something I didn't do, I'd probably do ANYTHING, even if it means harming others, to clear my name. Heck, even if I AM guilty, I would still defend myself. Why do we do that? When I begin to think about my motives it was pretty clear. It's because I, myself, come first before anyone. I'm more important to me than anyone. Even if I had no power to defend myself, I would at least die trying. On the other hand, Jesus had power. He had power and authority to defend Himself. He had power to end everything right there. He had power to give them justice that they deserved. Yet, what does He do? He humbles Himself and obeys the will of our Heavenly Father. He doesn't say unnecssary things. He knew His purpose on earth. He knew He was there to die not only for His people but even for those who were denying and accusing Him. That is Love. We often hear people ask each other, "What is love?". and we define love in so many ways. Love is caring, sacrificing, being a friend and etc... Where did it come from? Where is its origin? To me, there is no other way to define love but to think that love is 'what God showed us'. There is no one way to describe it. It's just what He showed us. I'm just simply amazed. I sit here in awe, knowing that we need to "be like Christ" as Christians yet fall soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo short. Only thing I can possibly say is... Thank you Jesus.

The Denial by Peter

I don’t know, that was pretty shameful of Peter, I would never do something like that to my savior. But I don’t know how confident I am now. I wonder how confident Peter was, when he told Jesus that he’ll never disown him. And I wonder how hard he tried to make, those who hated Jesus, believe that he wasn’t one of the disciple. Now I’m trying to remember when did I had confident like Peter, and when did I disappointed Jesus like Peter. I remember I was confident like Peter, after attending some of revival meeting, and some of the worship, I wanted to do so much for Jesus. But I also remember hiding my citizenship of kingdom of Jesus Christ, to not offend others. I guess here in North America, no one’s going to persecute you being a Christian. But there is chance that someone might not talk to you being so narrowed minded. So sometimes we wouldn’t talk about what we believe in too much. Peter is so much like us and I’m relief that I can relate to one of the disciple. And more and more I get to learn what I am about, and his amazing grace towards to us.

The Betrayal by Judas

Wow. I am amazed at today's reading. It's easy for us to think that the trials Jesus had to face were easier for him because he is the son of God but his prayer at Gethsemane clearly demonstrates that he was also in flesh and blood just like all of us. His prayer shows the fear and desperation because he knows the suffering he must face. The whipping, piercing, beating, and being nailed to the cross wasn't any easier for him. The bruises he had from the beating was real. The blood and water that spilled from his body was real. The humiliation of the son of God being crucified by his creation was real. I'm just overwhelmed by the obedience of Jesus Christ. How he can endure all that for someone like me. Someone who betrays his love by loving other things over him. His love is amazing! He would endure all the suffering and humiliation to save someone like me.

Be Still, My Soul...

I apologize that this post is not related to the daily reading material….

It’s been a tough week for some members of our congregation. Helen & Kris are in LA dealing with Helen’s father’s illness. Lynn just lost her grandmother, and our old friend Jinyoung is struggling with her father’s illness.

I just wanted to share this hymn with those who are suffering….

http://www.box.net/shared/caj4i5s8ww

Be Still, My Soul

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.


Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.


Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.


Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

The Vine and the Branches

Wednesday's reading was a great moment of reflection for me as are all the entries I read on this blog.

One part of the Christian message that's often uncomfortable is the notion of suffering. We talk about it often but the message of suffering as a Christian is often lost in translation when we're going through it. I'm the first to admit it. I acknowledge suffering is a part of Christian life and I'll mention that God was taking care of me in retrospect. But during the times that I feel like I am suffering, God is usually the furthest thing from my mind.

It's funny that every passage I have read and wrote about seems to be so relevant in my life. When God prunes and refines me, I hear Him saying "Get through it with me. Depend on me." But I'm usually thinking "Get it over it quickly like a man should. Then thank God when it's all over."

I realized reading this passage how much pride I still have even when I try to, and should, surrender to God.

I think it's amazing how as children of God, everything is to our benefit if we faithfully follow Him. Even when God prunes us, it's to bear more fruit. It's to make us better. God always wants to better us in all things. It's never merely to "teach us a lesson" only. It's to make us stronger and better in Him.

John Stott closed with a quote that instructs us to "never let go your hold on me [God] for a moment." Well I can say personally that I've let go a countless number of times. But it's been God who's never done the same to me in my entire life.

As you know, Il has a grandmother who is 97 years old. On Sunday her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren gathered around her bed and had a family service presided by Rev. Yang who called the service,” going home service.” She is going home at last. Her journey on this earth has almost come to an end. It’s time for her to go home where her Savior has been preparing the place for her. She will dwell the place eternally with her lover. Eternal life with Christ is far better than “happy ever after” story. How can an unbeliever make a sense out of death as a celebration of new beginning? How can an unbeliever find hope in his last breath?
Without Jesus, no celebration of new beginning nor hope! By believing his death and resurrection, believing Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and loving Jesus by obeying his command, we too become heirs and inherit the Kingdom of God. Jesus knows our journey on this earth is bumpy and restless. Jesus promised his disciples as well as all his children Holy Spirit, our counselor, to guide us through the journey. Moreover Jesus gives peace. Jesus said that peace that he gives is peace that this world can not understand. His peace calms our hearts in the middle of storm. His peace restores order in the midst of chaos.
As I was reading today’s message, I was overwhelmed by such blessing and privilege that we as children of God are granted with. It is very God that opens our eyes to see Him and hearts to know Him. I am full of gratitude and thankfulness that God opens my eyes to see who He is. It is my prayer as well as yours that the greatest thing in our lives is to know Him and love Him more and more each day until our father calls us home to be with Him forever.

** While I was writing the post, I got a call from my mother-in-law that our grandmother has passed and be with the Lord. If you could, please pray for our family. I will appreciate your prayers.