(The following is the April 3 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Luke 23 and pay close attention to verses 20-25.)

Pilate knew Jesus did not deserve death. The raucous crowd had multiple opportunities to change their mind about wanting the criminal Barabbas freed instead of Jesus, but they persisted in calling for Pilate to free Barabbas. “So Pilate decided to grant their demand and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will” (vv. 24-25).  

Pilate had the authority and inclination to free Jesus, but he did not. He chose to subordinate his will that day to the anti-Jesus crowd. We know, of course, that our heavenly Father planned for Jesus to die as the perfect sacrifice for sin, but this does not excuse Pilate from his decisions. Pilate chose whose will would reign supreme that day and acted to please others rather than do what he knew was right.  

We make choices each day regarding whose will we prioritize:  

• Will it be our own, doing what makes us happy, gives us pleasure, and advances our agendas and status?
• Will we do what others expect, regardless of what we believe is best or despite our desire to do otherwise?
• Or will we surrender our wills entirely to the only One who knows and wants what is eternally best for us – Jesus Christ?  

Do you want what is best for yourself in the long run? Surrender your will to Christ. Do you want what is best for others eternally? Plead with them to surrender their wills to Christ. We may think we know what is best for ourselves and others, but we can be wrong. Christ loves us perfectly, and our wills are the safest when surrendered into his loving arms.  

Next Step:
Is there a conflict between what you, others, and Christ expect from you in some areas? Pray for the faith to yield such matters to Christ. Trust him to reveal his good, pleasing, and perfect will.