“The Jews answered him, ‘We have a law, and according to that law He ought to die because He has made Himself the Son of God.’ When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, ‘Where are You from?’ But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to Him, ‘You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release You and authority to crucify You?’ Jesus answered him, ‘You would have no authority over Me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered Me over to you has the greater sin.’ From then on Pilate sought to release Him.” John 19:7-12
Devotional Thought For The Day
A trial is a very serious and sobering experience, no matter what the cause or the circumstances. The person on trial is liable to lose property, liberty, and perhaps even life. A capital trial, where the accused is liable to death, is all the more burdensome. Pilate initially thought that he could quickly dispense with this case; apply some physical punishment and humiliate Jesus publicly, and this would satisfy the Jewish leaders, the Sanhedrin. However, Pilate’s wife had sent a message to him about Jesus: “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” [Matt. 27:19] This almost certainly was strange and perhaps a bit unnerving – an invasion of the supernatural into the trial. Further, Pilate had already determined that Jesus was guilty of nothing even remotely suggesting a death penalty. In conversations with Jesus, Pilate understood that Jesus was no political or military threat. While Pilate had no way to judge the truth of Jesus’ claims and assertions about “truth” and a “kingdom” in another world, he was certainly able to ascertain the truth regarding Jesus’ innocence. [John 18:35-38]
So when the accusers ramped up the charges, insisting that Jesus must be put to death under their law, that Jesus claimed to be “the Son of God,” Pilate had a number of other concerns. If he had been somewhat afraid because of the rowdy demands of the crowd, and because of the warning of his wife, he was all the more fearful in view of his options. He could try to face down the crowd [which he did], but this would raise questions about his leadership abilities, and as the Jewish leaders threatened, even about his loyalty to Caesar [Jn. 19:12]. On the other hand, if he capitulated, he would be violating all decency and justice in condemning an innocent man to death, a sure indication of incompetence – even after his wife had warned him, and after his intriguing conversations with this remarkable man. Regardless of how wretched we consider Pilate to be for capitulating to political expediency and concern for his career, we should be empathetic to his dilemma; Jesus was, and expressed the same, observing that Pilate had less guilt than those who pressured Pilate in demanding His death.
We too are involved in legalities in the matter of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and execution. As we see Jesus on trial we should see ourselves, for as the one thief on the cross acknowledged: “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” [Luke 23:40,41] “The wages of sin is death” [Rom. 6:23], and like the thief on the cross, as sinners we are “under the same sentence of condemnation” under God’s law. The trial and crucifixion of Jesus is our own trial, for “God made Him to be sin Who knew no sin, for our sake, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” [2 Cor. 5:21] “He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” [Is. 53:5,6] So we too should face the drama squarely and poignantly, for any and all blessedness that we might receive from God was being determined in these proceedings. And the relief of His trial should fill us with deep reverence and gratitude to God, for though “the wages of sin is death, the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Rom. 6:23] In His trial, His execution, “He is the blood atonement for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” [1 Jn. 2:2]
It is remarkable that the world goes on each day with little regard for this wondrous cosmic event, the trial, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus. While we regard Pilate’s actions as wretched, he actually agonized more over this event than most people do – more so even than many people within the “church”, even though it was for our sins that He was found guilty and crucified. Yes, Lent and Holy Week comes and goes each year, and fewer and fewer Christians find this wonder of God’s love compelling enough to actually take time out of their busy schedules and activities to ponder and meditate upon. Life goes on, and each disregard for Christ’s sacrifice weakens our faith and cheapens [in our hearts and minds] the love of God and His wondrous gift of salvation. When does it become so insignificant that we no longer give it any real thought at all? Activities, goals, accomplishments, purchases, experiences, accumulations of wealth – should these be more important than Christ’s trial and God’s free gift of eternal life? How shall we face Him Who still bears the scars of His execution [Rev. 5:6] if we have despised His love and free gift in this life? May we have at least the same sentience and sense as the thief on the cross to recognize what Jesus did for us, and to embrace Him in faith, reverent fear, and love, lest we end up being even more wretched than Pilate.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, forgive us for our lack of regard for Your trial, execution, resurrection, atonement, and gift of eternal life. Why are we so brutish and insane? Draw us to Yourself, fill us with deep reverence and gratitude, and with gravity and sobriety in reflecting upon Your love. Keep love of the world, and focus on things of this world, from obscuring our vision of Your love, and of the things that truly matter. Grant us humble and serious joy in Your salvation. Amen.