Lenten Lesson IV -- Dancing around the issue of Jesus

The more the Rev. Jon Albrecht tries to clean his hands, the deeper the stain appears as he gives his Lenten lesson on Pilate Friday during the Community Lenten service at Memorial United Methodist Church. (Dawn Cribbs/McCook Daily Gazette)

Not only did Pilate wash his hands of the whole "Jesus problem" on that long ago day in Jerusalem, he also danced, quite capably, around the issues of the day.

But, as demonstrated by the Rev. Jon Albrecht of McCook Harvest Church, neither the basin, nor the dance, excused his failure to acquit an innocent man. And, Albrecht stated, human nature hasn't changed much in 2,000 years. "We dance around the issue of Jesus as ably as Pilate did."

First, Pilate tried to turn the responsibility for Jesus back to the Jewish leaders who had brought him to the palace of the Roman governor.

"Take him yourself," he commanded.

"We do that with religion," said Albrecht. People, when confronted with the question of Jesus are quick to say, "That's all right for you, but it's not for me. I am my own boss."

Pilate, insisting that there was no basis for the charges against Jesus, then offers to release Jesus in accordance with the tradition of releasing a prisoner to mark the Passover. In response, the crowd, swayed by the religious leaders of the day, chose Barabbas.

And, just as the crowd was swayed by the religious leaders, Pilate was swayed by the crowd.

And so it is again, with us, Albrecht said. How often do we make our decisions based upon what people will think? And so, we dance around the issue of Jesus.

Still seeking a way to escape this problem of Jesus, Pilate, discovering that Jesus is from Galilee, passes responsibility to Herod, certain that the problem can be solved on the basis of jurisdiction. Another failure.

But how often do people rely on the faith of others, saying, "Well, my mother is a believer, so I'm all right there."

Be sure of this, cautioned Albrecht, "There are no grandchildren in the Kingdom of Heaven, only sons and daughters. We must have each have a personal relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son."

When Herod failed to come through, Pilate sought to appease the Jewish religious leaders by having Jesus flogged. But that did not satisfy their bloodthirst. They still insisted that Christ be crucified.

"When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. 'I am innocent of this man's blood,' he said. 'It is your responsibility.'" (Matthew 27:24)

This, too, is a familiar dance, Albrecht allowed. We figure we're not so bad, "we go to church, we do good deeds..."

Taking a basin of clear water, Albrecht began washing his hands. The water quickly took on a light red hue, darkening with each immersion.

"I cannot get clean by myself." Albrecht stated. "I can't wash away sin. Only Jesus and his precious blood can wash away my sin."

The audience was filled with amens as Albrecht expanded on his point.

"Church membership doesn't make me clean."

"Works won't make me clean."

Pilate certainly acted against his conscience that day, Albrecht allowed, and as he washed his hands, he sought to soothe his conscience, to no avail.

Romans 3:23 tells us that "all have sinned" Albrecht explained. And Romans 5:8 reveals the only hope we have in that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

"Only Jesus can cleanse our hearts," Albrecht asserted. And he shared from Romans 10:9 and 10 that it's the heart that believes and the mouth that confesses salvation in Christ Jesus while Romans 10:13 promises "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Albrecht encouraged the 135 in attendance to stop dancing around the issue of Jesus and to make a decision for him.

"Are you serving him"

"Are you doing what he's called you to do?

"Make a decision for Jesus today."

Albrecht then led the congregation in a prayer of commitment and recommitment to Christ.

The Rev. Darwin Scott of the First Church of God served as the worship leader. Evie Caldwell again served as organist.

Stephanie Mackey and Mark Hauxwell of McCook Christian Church offered a beautifully harmonized rendition of "I'll Rise Again."

The 2006 Community Lenten series "People on the Periphery" will continue Friday with the Rev. Steven King of First Congregational Church bringing the message "Pilate's wife."

A free will offering is accepted in the sanctuary for the work of the Red Willow County Ministerial Association, the sponsoring body for the Lenten series, and a free will offering is accepted in the Fellowship Hall to help defray the cost of the meal.