April 28, 2026

Business by the Book

Matthew 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

Many believe that “the end justifies the means”, meaning that whatever a person has to do to accomplish their goal is acceptable as long as the end result is what they wanted it to be.  This thinking is contrary to the Word of God.  Certainly there are times when adjustments, changes in strategies, and various tactics must be altered, but not to the point of wrong doing simply in order to win. There is far too much of this taking place in the world today.

One such example is the group of people in the above verse. This group of people desired to have someone that they vehemently opposed put to death. If they could only get rid of this person they thought that their life would be so much better.  They even pledged an oath to this awful deed, His blood be on us, and on our children.   A short period of time later, this same group of people said to those who were faithful to the One who was put to death, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.  (Acts 5:28) 

His blood should be upon them, for that is what they pledged in Matthew 27.  This is the way it is with those who employ situational ethics. They will say or do anything to accomplish their end including ignoring, or excusing, their own wrong actions.  After all, if they did it, it must be for a good cause, for certainly they could never be wrong.  But they were wrong. 

The end does not justify the means. Never has and never will. Be careful, for this can be a temptation to every highly motivated and success oriented individual, but it is a trap from which escape is almost impossible. 

Dr. William Howe