29^th March

“”Oh, is He a Galilean?” Pilate asked. When they said that He was, Pilate sent Him to Herod Antipas, because Galilee was under Herod’s jurisdiction, and Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time. . . (Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day.)”

Luke 23:6-7, 12

Jesus was and is the Prince of peace. He was and is the reconciler and the biggest ambassador of unity. He died so the we would be reconciled back to God the Father, in perfect unity and without separation. Today’s key verse, highlights this very truth. Let’s take a look.

Have you ever wondered why Luke purposefully decided to include verse 12 in his narrative of Jesus’ last moments? Perhaps many just skip through this verse rushing ahead to read about whether Jesus was found guilty or not! Yet it is important not to miss this wonderful truth.

As Luke tells us, Pilate and Herod were enemies, although the reason is not stated in the text. For some reason Pilate is prompted to send Jesus to Herod’s jurisdiction, Galilee, to see if he thought Jesus was guilty or not. Incredibly this act, in whatever spirit it was done, bought unity and reconciliation between two people who were formerly enemies. Luke writes that Pilate and Herod ‘became friends’ after this encounter. Even though Jesus was being sentenced to die, even in His beaten state, Jesus’ very presence brought unity and reconciliation where there was hate and animosity. It is incredible that just by being, Jesus carried with Him life and relationship changing peace.

Perhaps it is reading too much into the text, but if Luke thought it important enough to include it in his writings, shouldn’t we too pay attention. That is why just simply inviting Jesus’ presence wherever you can, can change the atmosphere and your surroundings. We are carriers of this light and love and wherever we go, we too can take with us Jesus’ life changing peace, unity and reconciliation, even in the midst of hate and darkness.