Life Lessons From 25 New Testament CharactersSample

Selfishness is a Beast

Doing wrong when we know what is right... have you ever been in that position? Pilate is infamous for choosing to allow the death of an innocent man - Jesus Christ -even though from his own mouth he declared Jesus innocent three times. Pilate allowed the execution of Jesus because, ultimately, he was most concerned, not about what was right, but about what was best for himself. He was a selfish man who protected His job instead of doing what was right and using His power to protect an innocent man. Now, if we pause, it can be easy for us to click our tongues and throw stones at Pilate. However, are we not the same in some ways? Selfishness is a beast that lives in all of us. It doesn’t take too long to think of a time when we, in some way, have chosen what is best for ourselves instead of loving God or other people. Right? The question is, do we have to stay living that way? Or was the very person Pilate executed, the Savior, ultimately completing God's plan to save selfish people like you and I?

THINK and PRAY:

Is anything worth more than your soul?

Pilate’s story is well known, and his place in human history is documented in the most well-read, well-listened-to publication in the world — the Bible. Herod is a good mirror for our souls. Are we like him in any way? If Christ were to be brought to our metaphorical palace and we were asked by the crowds, “What will YOU do with him?” Would we choose our selfish best over Christ, or would we recognize the Savior, King Jesus? Would we see Jesus' innocence as the innocence we need for our sinful lives and ask Him for help? You see, the characters in the Bible were real people like you and I. They lived in a different time and place, but the human heart is the same throughout time. We all want to be selfish kings or queens looking out for our own good, our own desires, our own lives. But Christ came to save us from our selfish pursuits, to find identity, forgiveness, and position in Him. Ironically, everything Pilate was trying to protect, He ultimately lost because they were temporary positions and identities. Christ offers us eternal innocence, a heavenly position in His family, and an eternal palace to call home — the New Heaven and Earth. So, why turn Him down? Have you chosen Christ over your own temporary, selfish gain? Jesus said, "And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Mark 8: 36, 37)