No being in the universe

can compel us to do wrong

"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!" Matthew 27:24

We read that Pilate took water in the presence of the Jews and washed his hands — thus by symbol declaring that he was not responsible for the sentencing of Jesus to die.

But the water did not wash away one particle of the stain of the guilt of that terrible sin.

Pilate had the misfortune to be the only man in all the province who could send Jesus to the cross.

Upon him, therefore, the final responsibility rested, no matter what the pressure that was brought to bear upon him by the enemies of Jesus.

Just so, the fact that others urge us to sin, does not take away our guilt for that sin.

No being in the universe can compel us to do wrong . If then, we do wrong, the sin is our own.

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