Read
So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.”
Matthew 27:24
Reflect
Pontius Pilate stood above the crowd. Jesus stood to his right. A violent rebel and murderer, Barabbas, stood on his left. The religious leaders had whipped the crowd into a frenzy, their shouts of “Crucify him!” aimed at Jesus instead of the man who actually deserved punishment. At the same time, they quietly threatened Pilate, hinting that Caesar would hear about it if the governor made the wrong decision.
Even so, the power of life and death rested squarely in Pilate’s hands. At any moment, he could have freed Jesus. Instead, he tried to play the political odds. He sent Jesus to Herod, hoping someone else would make the hard call. He ordered Jesus brutally flogged, reasoning that a beating might satisfy the leaders’ bloodlust. Finally, he presented the crowd with a choice he was certain they would get right: release the gentle, innocent Jesus, or free Barabbas.
But there was no escaping it—Pilate still had to take responsibility.
In the end, he didn’t even do that well. After allowing the crowd to decide, Pilate took a bowl of water and washed his hands. Outwardly, he declared himself innocent to the crowd, to Rome, and to history itself. But inwardly, things don’t work that way. Guilt is much harder to escape than dirt, and water alone can’t wash it away.
Pilate’s story forces an uncomfortable question: how do we handle responsibility when the stakes are high? Do we allow others to make decisions for us, or do we remain accountable for the choices we allow to happen? Spiritually, the Lord calls us to make decisions that reflect His character and His presence in our lives. Sometimes we will choose poorly—but when we do, we can’t simply bathe, deflect, or wash our hands and expect the guilt to disappear without repentance.
We also can’t point to other people and claim they made us do the wrong thing. Even if we convince others—or ourselves—that we’re not to blame, God knows the truth.
This week, focus on taking responsibility for the things in your life. Resist the urge to shift blame or soften accountability. Pray that the Lord will give you wisdom, humility, and guidance to make choices that show He—not fear, pressure, or convenience—is truly in control of your life.
Reflection copyright © 2026 Doug DeBolt.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
