“From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, ‘If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.’”
John 19:12
Pilate despised the people he was tasked with leading, but he was a man hanging onto his position. He had to be careful about how he’d let the whole Jesus-trial play out. He both disdained the people and was scared of what they might do in response. That is the Pilate we come to in our Easter story.
After Jesus’ religious trial under high priests Annas and Caiaphas and the full Sanhedrin, He was sent for the legal proceedings in front of Pilate. What followed was an engaging if somewhat abbreviated conversation between the man who believed he was in charge yet feared the outcome, and the Man who was fearless and calm, stating that He was the King testifying to truth.
What we do know is that the questions Jesus asked of Pilate on the first Easter, He asks of every human soul. And the words of life He both offered and made available by His death and resurrection are still available to all who look upon that Roman cross and see Jesus. Will you humble yourself before the King of kings? Will you look to the crucified Man and see your Savior?
After Jesus’ religious trial under high priests Annas and Caiaphas and the full Sanhedrin, He was sent for the legal proceedings in front of Pilate. What followed was an engaging if somewhat abbreviated conversation between the man who believed he was in charge yet feared the outcome, and the Man who was fearless and calm, stating that He was the King testifying to truth.
What we do know is that the questions Jesus asked of Pilate on the first Easter, He asks of every human soul. And the words of life He both offered and made available by His death and resurrection are still available to all who look upon that Roman cross and see Jesus. Will you humble yourself before the King of kings? Will you look to the crucified Man and see your Savior?
Scripture Focus
John 19:1-10
Insight
God used Pilate’s condescending language to declare the gospel across the ages when he ordered the sign be posted, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF THE JEWS.”
Bible In A Year
- Numbers 27-28
- Psalm 75
- John 17
