"And Pilate said to them [the crowd], 'Why, what evil has he done?' But they shouted all the more, 'Crucify him.' So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified." {Verses 14-15)
WOW. Read it again if you're not saying "Wow" with me. Anybody catch it? I'm sure by the title of this study thought you can all assume what "wowed" me from this short text. If not, let me explain it.
First of all, we learn from verse 5 that Pilate was "amazed" at Jesus. Second, we learn that Pilate believed Jesus was innocent of what the Council was charging him of- not only in verse 14 but also in verse 10, we learn Pilate, "...perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him [Jesus] up." Pilate thought Jesus to be innocent- we can even wonder if Pilate believed Jesus was in fact, the Christ. We can also back up these thoughts with Matthew 27:19, "Besides, while he [Pilate] was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, 'Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream." And verse 24: "So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves." So, even after we discover that Pilate assumed Jesus to be innocent, he still grants the crowd their wish and sends Jesus to be crucified. Pilate chooses to satisfy a crowd, rather than choosing to satisfy God. At the time, it is not known whether or not Pilate did believe Jesus to be the Son of God, or whether he just had no solid case against him, but either way- he took a chance. Could have he not been favored by the people? Could he have lost his place as governor? Could the crowd have made such a riot that killed him or put him in danger? Maybe. Maybe all this could have happened. As Christians, we are promised persecution, because Jesus was persecuted. As human beings, we are people-pleasers. We like people liking us, we like our reputation to be in good standing, we don't like opposition. What would you have done in Pilate's position? How about today- do you choose to satisfy the crowd rather than God? Do you choose what the crowd wants rather than what God wants? Are you willing to give up your position, reputation or life for the sake of Christ? Pilate wasn't. I'm sure in the depth of his being, he dealt with the shame for the rest of his earthly life. We don't have to get mad at Pilate though for his decision to be unfaithful to Jesus, because God knew ahead of time what Pilate would do and God used Him- believing or not- to bring about His plan for Jesus on earth. We as Christians, however, have a purpose from God- and it's not to be unfaithful- but rather, faithful to Jesus. God wants to use us for His glory, His purposes and to build His kingdom. That might just mean an unpopular earthly role, it might mean opposition, it might mean your life. But are you faithful to Him, or faithful to the crowd?
~Leanne~
First of all, we learn from verse 5 that Pilate was "amazed" at Jesus. Second, we learn that Pilate believed Jesus was innocent of what the Council was charging him of- not only in verse 14 but also in verse 10, we learn Pilate, "...perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him [Jesus] up." Pilate thought Jesus to be innocent- we can even wonder if Pilate believed Jesus was in fact, the Christ. We can also back up these thoughts with Matthew 27:19, "Besides, while he [Pilate] was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, 'Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream." And verse 24: "So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves." So, even after we discover that Pilate assumed Jesus to be innocent, he still grants the crowd their wish and sends Jesus to be crucified. Pilate chooses to satisfy a crowd, rather than choosing to satisfy God. At the time, it is not known whether or not Pilate did believe Jesus to be the Son of God, or whether he just had no solid case against him, but either way- he took a chance. Could have he not been favored by the people? Could he have lost his place as governor? Could the crowd have made such a riot that killed him or put him in danger? Maybe. Maybe all this could have happened. As Christians, we are promised persecution, because Jesus was persecuted. As human beings, we are people-pleasers. We like people liking us, we like our reputation to be in good standing, we don't like opposition. What would you have done in Pilate's position? How about today- do you choose to satisfy the crowd rather than God? Do you choose what the crowd wants rather than what God wants? Are you willing to give up your position, reputation or life for the sake of Christ? Pilate wasn't. I'm sure in the depth of his being, he dealt with the shame for the rest of his earthly life. We don't have to get mad at Pilate though for his decision to be unfaithful to Jesus, because God knew ahead of time what Pilate would do and God used Him- believing or not- to bring about His plan for Jesus on earth. We as Christians, however, have a purpose from God- and it's not to be unfaithful- but rather, faithful to Jesus. God wants to use us for His glory, His purposes and to build His kingdom. That might just mean an unpopular earthly role, it might mean opposition, it might mean your life. But are you faithful to Him, or faithful to the crowd?
~Leanne~
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