In response to the stimulus of a disappointment or failure, we can choose to think we are a disappointment or failure and give up, or we can learn from that disappointment or failure and grow. In the face of adversity, we can focus on asking, Or we can focus on asking, can I get through When there is “why me?” “how this?” reason for fear, we can let fear take over, and lash out at strangers and those who are different. Or we can let our trust in God take over, and still treat others the way Jesus would treat them. We have a choice: we can look around and find those neighbors who have more, and strive out of jealousy to get more for ourselves. Or we can look at those neighbors who have less, and strive with gratitude to share so that others have more. We cannot choose how others will treat us. But can choose how we will treat others. We can choose with Jesus to respond to others with love and grace, with faith and hope. (Holding bulletin cover up) Poor Pilate. He is so confused. He acts powerless to ignore the crowds, but then claims the power to send Jesus to the cross. He thinks he can wash his hands of Jesus. But Jesus is not so easily defeated. Pilate is amazed by silence now. Wait until he sees what Jesus does with the cross. Jesus’
In response to the stimulus of a disappointment or failure, we can choose to think we are a disappointment or failure and give up, or we can learn from that disappointment or failure and grow. In the face of adversity, we can focus on asking, “why me?” Or we can focus on asking, “how can I get through this?” When there is reason for fear, we can let fear take over, and lash out at strangers and those who are different. Or we can let our trust in God take over, and still treat others the way Jesus would treat them. We have a choice: we can look around and find those neighbors who have more, and strive out of jealousy to get more for ourselves. Or we can look at those neighbors who have less, and strive with gratitude to share so that others have more. We cannot choose how others will treat us. But can choose how we will treat others. We can choose with Jesus to respond to others with love and grace, with faith and hope. (Holding bulletin cover up) Poor Pilate. He is so confused. He acts powerless to ignore the crowds, but then claims the power to send Jesus to the cross. He thinks he can wash his hands of Jesus. But Jesus is not so easily defeated. Pilate is amazed by Jesus’ silence now. Wait until he sees what Jesus does with the cross.