Thoughts

Legislate morality? This is the question I am pondering. Yes, God did establish government. One purpose of government is to uphold sanctity of life. Another purpose for government is to uphold justice and punish wrong doers. Jesus came to this earth during the time of the Roman government. It was a stable time in history, but the Roman government was not God centered. Yet Jesus did not seek to change the government during his ministry here on earth. Instead he chose to change the hearts of men. I think that is our task as Christians, to do as Jesus did, change the hearts of men through the gospel. When the hearts of men are changed, morality will follow.

Luke 23:13-25

Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.

With one voice they cried out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!" (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"

For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him."

But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.