Who is Responsible?

 Today's Readings: OT - Job 28 / NT - Matthew 27:1-26

"When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” All the people answered, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!”" -- Matthew 27:24-25 

Kitty Genovese was attacked by a maniac as she returned home from work at 3:00 a.m. on March 13, 1964. Thirty-eight of her neighbors in Kew Gardens came to their windows when she cried out for help; no one responded to her pleas even though her stalker took over half an hour to murder her. Not one person thought to call the police. She died. Andrew Mormille was stabbed in the stomach by two young men as he rode the A train home to Manhattan in 1965. Eleven other passengers watched the seventeen-year-old boy as he bled to death; no one came to his aid even though his attackers had left the car. He died. When is someone expected to be responsible?

Social responsibility may be open to discussion, but spiritual responsibility is another matter entirely. When each person stands before God after they breathe their last, one question will be asked. "What have you done, in response to my Son?" Pilate wanted to be innocent of the blood of Jesus, but was that possible? Since "all have sinned" (Romans 3:23) and only "the blood of Jesus... purifies us from all sin." (1 John 1:7) "...how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?" (Hebrews 2:3) Eventually, every individual person will be held responsible.

Have you found ways to "pass the buck"? Is the concept of personal responsibility archaic and  irrelevant to you? Are you aware that you have already made a decision about Jesus Christ, and you are responsible? John said it in 1 John 5:12, "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." What have you done, in response to the Son? The truth is; no one is innocent and everyone is responsible.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Job 29:1-9 / NT - Matthew 27:27-44