Pilate's Dilemma

Matthew 27:15-26 Pilate's Dilemma

I. THE PERSON THAT CONFRONTED PILATE v.22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. (a) HIS MISSION: Expressed in the word JESUS: What does that name Jesus mean ? It means Saviour." Thou shalt call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins." ( 1:21 ) " What shall I do then with the Saviour ? (b) HIS COMMISSION: Expressed in the word CHRIST: Christ in the Greek, Messiah in the Hebrew and it means Anointed. Christ is the " Anointed One." The One set apart by God to be the Saviour. " What shall I do then with the One who is Anointed and Appointed by God to be the Saviour ?" Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 2. THE PROOF THAT CONVINCED PILATE v. 24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. A. The voice of (conscience)... convinced Pilate. (Pilate) "I find no fault in this man" Luke 23:4 B. The voice of (reason)... convinced Pilate. He knew that it was for envy they had delivered him Matthew 27:18 C. The voice of a (loved one)... convinced Pilate. (Pilate's wife) "Have thou nothing to do with this just man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him" Matthew 27:19 D. The voice of... (God) himself convinced Pilate. John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 3. THE PRESSURES THAT CONFORMED PILATE Mark 15:15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him to be crucified A. There was the pressure of Popularity... Pilate said unto them, "What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" They all say unto him. "Let him be crucified" Matthew 27:22

B. There was the pressure of Position...But the Jews cried out saying, "If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend John 19:12 C. There was a pressure of Pride...(Pilate) "Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?" John 19:10 4. THE PROBLEM THAT CONFOUNDED PILATE Therefore, when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, "Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?" Matthew 27:17

A. He tried to (ignore)... Jesus.

(Pilate) "Take ye him and judge him according to your law." John 18:31

B. He tried to (avoid)... Jesus (moving decision)... to somebody else.

When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. Luke 23:6-7

C. He tried to (admire)... Jesus.

(Pilate) "I find no fault in him" John 19:6

D. He tried to (deny)... Jesus.

He took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it" Matthew 27:24

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS?

1. It is a personal question. No one else can answer it for you.

2. It is a present question. You must decide today.

3. It is a pertinent question. It deals with life and death, heaven or hell.

" What will you do with Jesus, Neutral you cannot be

Some day your soul will be asking, What will HE do with me ?"

We Can :- CRUCIFY HIM

You could choose to totally reject him, yea even to the point of crucifying him in your thoughts, words and actions. Millions do this - quite blatantly. Matthew 27: 22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

23: And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

24: When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.