Day 227 “If you don't want others to see it, don't waste time trying to hide it.”

Day 227 Matthew 27:1-2 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. There were two reasons it was necessary for the chief priests and elders to take Jesus to Pontius Pilate the governor; the first being that Jewish law required that trials be held during the day, and the first trial of Jesus was held under the cover of darkness. The second reason was that the Jewish leaders did not have the authority to put someone to death; they first had to convince the governor that someone was worthy of death in order that he could pronounce punishment. As I read this, I immediately thought of Luke 12:2-3: “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.” The Jewish leaders were well aware of the law. As a matter of fact, everything they did revolved around the law. They were the keepers of the law, yet they purposed in their hearts to break that law when they sought out and bound Jesus in Gethsemane. They then held their trial, knowingly breaking the law, the ultimate act of hypocrisy. If anyone has ever wondered why Jesus called them hypocrites so often or wondered what hypocrisy looked like, here would be the shining example. Yet I cannot help but smile when I think of these men who purposed to break their own law, now attempting to cover it up and justify their actions by following the law. Once again, we see the power of the Word, Luke 12:2-3. No one is above the ultimate law of God. There is no avoiding its influence, judgment, fulfillment, and truth. In my former life as a sales manager, the blessing of God upon my role was truly unbelievable for a nonbeliever as well as many who proclaimed to believe. Jealousy was rampant and some thought to find fault as a result. Try as they might, no matter how many tricks they attempted and lies they manufactured, there was no fault or trickery to be found in my success. It was as I had said, “God was blessing it.” In particular, there were two men of power, both professed believers who held double lives, and one of which was serving in ministry. At home, they professed the Lord; at work though, their actions were not glorifying to God. This behavior, of course, made it very difficult for anyone to share Christ because, after all, these men were appearing to be hypocrites. Being called away by the Lord (hallelujah!), I was left open for attack without defense, yet none was needed. Eleven-plus years later, the truth came out, and some have even come to ask forgiveness. God is the vindicator; He brings out the truth, and neither He nor His people will, in the end, be mocked. Hang in there and trust the Lord. He is your guard, and He will be glorified. If you will but trust in Him, no defense will be needed. Daily Prayer: Father, I am eternally grateful for the protection that You offer us against the attacks of the enemy. Thank you that we can trust You and know You will never fail. In Jesus’ name, Amen. “If you don't want others to see it, don't waste time trying to hide it.” Gene Burroughs, Pastor