Is the Wood Dry?

Is the Wood Dry?

Theology in the Trenches

by Kathleen Kjolhaug

Do you hear it? Hoofbeats draw nigh kicking up dust upon arrival. Questions rise along with the dust.

Was it enough? Is it enough? Is it enough to simply wash our hands like Pilate washed his of the naysayers? Does that make us slayers? Do we participate in the slaying of the persecuted when we merely wash our hands of it and walk away by proclaiming our innocence?

“I am innocent of this man’s blood” (Matt. 27:24).

This was Pilate’s proclamation to not be a part of it, but was it enough? Was it enough to walk away from those chanting they wanted Jesus condemned? He could have done more but vindicated himself by washing his hands and walking away. Was that enough to cleanse himself of all unrighteousness? Obviously, he could see right through the motives of those railing their way into getting their own way.

Was it enough?

Mark 15:15 reinforces the scene unfolding. “So Pilate, anxious to placate the crowd handed Him over to be crucified.” Note his desire was to please. Please whom? His desire was to please the crowd.

So how did the crowd respond to Pilate’s questioning as to why they wanted Jesus?

The crowd responded, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15).

And just like that, the Chief Priests betrayed Truth right on the spot. They wanted what they wanted and were willing to do anything to get it.

Pilate actually had a conscience which made him question, yet the religious made their accusations and stuck to them. Unfortunately, it became about them rather than Him. Pride fell all over the act of crucifixion. They wanted their due by giving Him His in the most worldly sense of the Word.

What happened next was interesting.

“Large numbers followed Him and wept with Him” (Luke 23:27). And as they did, He cautioned them. He cautioned them to not weep for Him but for themselves and for their children (Luke 23:28).

And here it is. This next portion is haunting if not downright daunting. But, before I give away the punch line, may I ask another question?

“Is the wood dry?”

Luke 23:31 points out, “For if men use the green wood like this what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:31). In other words, when men persecuted and crucified while He was yet present…what was going to happen when the cross was in the rearview mirror?

Another question begins to rise from the dust. “Do we have no king but Caesar?” Perhaps, if we are honest, we do give honor to things or people much more than He who hung upon the cross.

The promises of the cross have not waned. The cross has and will forever hold resurrection power because that is precisely why He died upon it. When we look to the cross, we look to Him.

Let us hold fast to a few of His final words as we spread His Word, “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:43).

May the following be the punch line worthy of honor, and may they never become dry wood.

“Father, into Thy hands I commit my Spirit (Luke 23:46).

We pray this be our prayer. It is enough.  Amen.