Pilate and Peter

I've been preparing my lesson for church on Sunday. This week's lesson is on the crucifixion of the Savior, so I've been pondering a lot about Pilate and about Peter.

First about Pilate, how he almost seemed to believe that Jesus was who He said He was, but still gave in to the crowd who was demanding that they free Barabbas instead of Jesus and crucify Jesus. He seemed about to disregard their wishes and release Jesus anyway until the Pharisees and chief priests said that Jesus had committed sedition when He proclaimed himself to be King and that they would report him to his superiors and he would lose his position. I wondered how often we don't stand up for what is right (even if we may not believe the position another takes) because we are afraid to lose our position or maybe to lose friends. It's not always easy to stand up and do what's right.

Second about Peter, who had denied knowing Jesus 3 times during the trial. I still like to think of the denials more as following counsel rather than being cowardly. Because maybe when Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him 3 times before the cock crowed, it wasn't prophecy but a command. Peter became the leader of the church after Jesus was crucified and then resurrected. Perhaps something would have happened to him as well if he had admitted who he was during the trial. I do like a thought I read recently though about Peter that if it had been cowardice or weakness, then who else has shown a more complete repentance and a better ability to overcome a weakness than Peter did? He boldy testified on multiple occasions afterward about the Savior.

So anyway, that's just what's been on my mind these last couple of days. I kind of wish I had a few more days to ponder and study about this before my lesson on Sunday. And I really hope I've been preparing the correct lesson, since I've been away from church for the last 4 weeks since I had the baby (4 weeks ago today. That's crazy).