Today’s scripture: Matthew 27:24-31 (NRSV) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Melody Merida):
Do you ever wish that you could take something back, something you’ve said or done? Do you ever wonder what life would be like today if you could just go back in time and change one thing? I do.
Several years ago I betrayed the trust of a very dear friend of mine and hurt her tremendously. It is without a doubt the single most regretful thing I’ve done and I think about it often. My actions had consequences and there was a heavy personal price. That experience taught me so much about who I did and did not want to be.
While that mistake was a big one for me it doesn’t seem to compare to the mistake of the crowd who are prepared to take the blood of Jesus upon their own and their children’s heads. Did they know what they were saying? Could they possibly know who they were seeking to kill? This one betrayal will forever be how they are remembered throughout history.
I wonder what their answer would be now if we could somehow reach through time and space to ask those folks if they would answer the same way all over again today. Maybe they would say, “I was just caught up in the emotion of the crowd.” “I didn’t even know the guy but I didn’t want to stand up for him, maybe then I would have gotten hurt.” “I thought he was the enemy because that is what my church leaders told me.” If only they had known the truth. . . if only.
Each one of us leaves a legacy of sorts, for better or for worse. While I may not literally have Jesus’ blood on my hands, I have my friend’s heartbreak on my hands. Unfortunately, that will be a part of my legacy. There are no good excuses about just following the crowd, or being afraid for our own reputation, or just following church orders. The reasons behind the decisions we make will long be forgotten and only the consequences will be remembered; let’s try to get it right the first time so there doesn’t need to be any looking back. The decisions we make today matter.
Thought for the day: Each decision you make, every word you speak will be a part of your legacy. How will history remember you?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.