Change

Change 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” Change is such a harsh word. It is something we all resist, yet it is something that is vital to our existence. In nature thing change and we call this change seasons. In the spring what looks to be dead comes to life and turns from brown to green. In the fall as the weather cools and days are shortened the green changes to a pallet of color. In our lives there also is change. We watch as our children change before our eyes as they grow from infant to toddler to teen to adult. We too change as years pass and hair turns from color to gray. Eyes dim from the strain of trials past. Our bodies that once could perform feats of strength and endurance now struggle to get out of bed. Yes there is nothing more constant than change. When we accept Christ as our Savior a greater change takes place. We go from being dead in sin to life with the Father. We are born into the family of God and old things are done away with and all things are made new. We are new creatures and a child of God. We see with new eyes and sing a new song. We also go from being a slave to Satan to one he seeks to destroy. There is a newness of life and things have a brighter glow. We go where we have not gone before and do things that were once alien to us. This change has given us a new friend. One who will never leave us nor forsake us. One we can trust with our most precious possession—our heart and life. Yes change is coming and changed we will all be. In nature change must take place for new life to begin. Dead branches must be cut off so new fruit can grow. The best grapes grow from new branches. If old dead wood is not removed, if aged and sick limbs are not cast off the whole tree is in danger of dying. Change may be painful at first; if done so new life can grow then the pain is of none affect. If change is not allowed and old wood remain the whole vine will wither and new fruit will not grow. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:5-7)

Pilate and Jesus

Pilate had more to do with Jesus than he wanted. In fact, he had rather someone else have all the responsibility that finally fell upon him. Of the things he said about Jesus, there are two statements, almost alike, that stand out above all others. They are both found in the gospel according to John. First in John 18:38, he said, “I find in him no fault at all.” In John 19:4, he said, “Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.” When Pilate gave these two statements, he spoke a great truth. It would seem that he never fully embraced this fact in such a way as to receive this One as his personal Savior. This reminds us it is possible to know the truth, but still fail to act upon it. This governor was saying things about Jesus that cannot truthfully be said about any other. All of us have known some good people, good compared to others we know, but we could not truthfully say they were without fault. Some things must be without fault to be valuable, or at least to have their full value. We are told that only a small percent of diamonds are perfect. In them, the slightest imperfection reduces their value greatly. A painting, to be a masterpiece, must be without flaw, or fault. Jesus to really be what He claimed to be and to do had to be without fault. If even one sin was found in Him, then He was not the Son of God. After Pilate had closely examined Him, he could only come to one conclusion: He was without fault. There are several standards, which we judge a man’s character. We measure him by what he is. Character is something you make or break yourself. Other men may, at least for a time, destroy your reputation, but if your character is destroyed, you do that yourself. If your character is not good you have no one to blame save yourself. We measure men by their conversation. Our words either commend us or condemn us. This should cause us to be careful about what we say and how we say it. It is still a good policy to mediate on words before you use them. We measure men by their conduct, their contribution, and their creed. When you measure Jesus by all these standards, still you have to say with Pilate, “I find no fault in him.” If He is all He claimed to be, where does that leave us when we refuse to accept Him? Pilate thought literal water would wash Jesus’ blood from his hands, but there will come a time when Pilate will see the folly of his reasoning. Like Pilate all will have to give account of every word spoken and every act.