Christ Before Pilate, Pilate Before Christ

CHRIST BEFORE PILATE, PILATE BEFORE CHRIST

Mt. 27:11-26; Jn. 19:6-12

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: THE STATE DINNER

1. A New York Governor invited a group of clergy to the State House on a Friday for breakfast. However, as soon as they all were seated and the food was delivered to the table, he began to wonder whether he had made a faux pas by serving meat on a Friday.

2. "Please don’t worry, Governor," said the Catholic priest. "Since we instituted Vatican II, we can now eat meat on Fridays. So it’s no problem now!"

3. They all looked at the Jewish representative. He looked down at the large portion of bacon on his plate. Rabbi Levy said to the Governor, "I’m sorry, Governor, but I can't eat this - we are still operating under Sinai I."

B. TEXT

11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. 22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” 24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” 25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

C. THESIS

1. No one took Jesus’ life; He gave it voluntarily. His death purchased our salvation.

2. It’s not automatic; we must personally accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

3. PILATE’S INFAMY. The Roman Empire had thousands of provincial officials over its 800 year reign, but only one of them is remembered.

4. Millions of Christians mention him when saying the Apostle’s Creed or the Nicene Creed – “crucified under Pontius Pilote.

5. Millions of children who have never heard the name of Tiberius Caesar have heard of this petty underling!

I. WAS PILATE ON TRIAL BEFORE CHRIST?

A. UNUSUAL HESITANCY OF PILATE

1. Life was cheap. There was little regard for human life by those who wielded the greatest power. Might made right.

2. The Romans were indifferent to the plight of Jews. They felt they were superior to the uneducated and disorganized tribal groups.

3. Luke 13:1 mentions “of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate mingled with their sacrifices.”

4. The Roman Laws and their protections only applied to Roman citizens.

5. They despised the Jews. What value was the life of a mere Jew? Why did Pilate demonstrate such a squeamishness of conscience?

B. UNUSUAL EVENTS SURROUNDING THIS TRIAL

1. HOW MUCH DID PILATE KNOW ABOUT JESUS?

a. Justin Martyr in his defense before Emperor Antonius Pius (150 A.D.) cited the “Acts of Pontius Pilate” for verification that the miracles of Jesus happened. “That He performed these miracles you may easily be satisfied form the Acts of Pontius Pilate.” [Apology, 1:48]

b. So Pilate had kept a detailed record of Jesus’ miracles and hadn’t tried to disprove them. He also knew Jesus was innocent/ sinless, for he said, “I find no fault in Him.”

2. THE TRANQUILITY OF CHRIST

a. Pilate noticed Christ’s lack on concern of being condemned. He said, “Don’t you know I have the power to execute you?” And Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above” Jn. 19:11.