Hindsight

The interaction in the Gospel of John between Jesus, the Jewish leaders and Pilate is much longer than in any other Gospel, 18:28-19:16.  The statement that I find most interesting is the very first verse in the story, “They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium in order that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.”

The Roman soldiers slept, prepped, ate, and made home out of the Praetorium building, therefore they were called the Praetorium guards. The Jewish religious leaders couldn’t set foot inside the area because holy men would stand on unholy ground and thus defile themselves.

They should have said, “What a great opportunity! Let’s go into the Praetorium and invite all the Roman military to come join us for the Passover dinner and maybe they’ll learn about our God and devote their lives to Him.”

The Jewish leaders God wanted to spiritually impact both Jews and Gentiles would not set foot outside their cocoon.  They built ridiculous boundaries around themselves so that anyone outside their culture looked at them and said, “Why in the world would I want to be like that?!  Forget following their God!”

The reason Jesus was so appealing to both Jews and Gentiles is that he was willing to go where people had a sincere heart to know God.  He would walk on Gentile as well as Jewish soil.  He would speak to Jews and Gentiles.  He would teach both men and women.  He was approachable, likable and normal!  Just think, THE most abnormal guy Jesus, both man and God simultaneously, was also the most normal guy and that’s what made Him appealing!

Wherever you are, whatever you are, however you are, Jesus is willing to get on your page, on your level, into your home, your car and live life with you.  Even if your home is the Praetorium.