Luke 23:1-16
23: Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”
6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.
13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”
Reflection
The death of Jesus is the ultimate injustice in human history. The most innocent man who ever lived was falsely accused and eventually sentenced to death despite the fact that both Pilate and Herod could find no guilt in him (Luke 23:14–15). Jesus endured this abuse, and held his tongue (v. 9): “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (1 Pet. 2:23).
In love for us and for the glory of his Father, Jesus lived a perfect life and died the death we deserve so that we would no longer live in slavery to our sinful desires. When we face injustice and suffering in our lives, we can remember Christ’s example of gracious endurance (1 Pet. 2:21) and find strength to resist the temptation to react sinfully.
1 Timothy 5:1-16
5: Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
Reflection
Paul provides the church godly wisdom that spans across age and gender. How beautiful are church members who know who they are, and then treat one another properly as fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters (1 Tim. 5:1–2). When our relationships function like this, we are functioning in the way that the household of God is supposed to function (3:15), and we enhance the attractiveness of the gospel.
Next Paul gives advice about caring for widows. First, Paul talks about caring for impoverished widows who are godly and are without children (vv. 3–8). They are “truly widows” and are to receive “honor”—that is, they are to be cared for by the church. Some widows have children, Paul says, “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God” (v. 4). In other words, widows with children in the church should be cared for by their family. As the church body cared for its childless widows, and as children cared for their widowed mothers and grandmothers, Christians demonstrated the grace of God toward the helpless, and the testimony of Christ brightened before the pagan world. When we care for those who truly cannot provide for themselves, it demonstrates the principles of the gospel for both those in and those outside of the church. Such “godliness” radiates the gospel’s light.
Psalm 68:4-5
4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him! 5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
Pray for those who are needy, and ask God how you can serve those in your life who are in need of assistance. Pray that the love shown to you in the gospel would shine through you in your acts of love for others.