Pilate: How To Decide What To Do About Jesus Series

Introduction:

In Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, one of Jesus biggest assets appears to be the Roman Prefect, Pilate.

A Pilate goes head to head with the religious leadership in defense of Christ.

a If Jesus was a self-professed King, then Pilate could kill him for treason.

b If Jesus isn’t a king, simply a trouble-maker, Pilate could flouge and release him, but Jesus wasn’t causing any trouble.

B Pilate did not know what to do with Jesus!!!!

a Pilate was not pacifist.

*Brought graven images into Jerusalem.

*Put soldiers in plan clothes and ambushed Jewish worshipers

13At that time, some people came and reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.Luke 13:1 (HCSB)

b Matt. 27.22-23

22 Pilate said* to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said*, "Crucify Him!" 23 And he said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they kept shouting all the more, saying, "Crucify Him!" Matt 27:22-23 (NASB)

C ETS: Pilate was forced to make a decision about Jesus.

a ESS: We all must decide what we are going to do to do about Jesus.

Objective: I hope you will chose to accept Jesus as your King.

b P.Q.: What are you doing about Jesus?

T.S.: Let’s look at two decisions Pilate made Jesus.

I Pilate made the decision to try to avoid making a decision about Jesus.

A Pilate was amazed at Jesus.

13 Then Pilate said* to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?" 14 And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed. Matt 27:13-14 (NASB)

5 But Jesus made no further answer; so Pilate was amazed. Mark 15:4-5 (NASB)

a Pilate was used to criminals pleading for their life, engaging in debate, refuting the charges, . . .Jesus didn’t defend himself. Pilate was AMAZED!

7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. Isaiah 53:7 (NASB)

b Pilate was used to criminals trying to break free & escape, but Jesus didn’t. However, I see Pilate trying to escape from Jesus!

Three escape routes Pilate tried to take was through. . .

I Making Herod Agrippa decide about Jesus

6 When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man (Jesus) was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time. Luke 23:6-7 (NASB)

II Setting Barabbas free, (Picture of D.C. Sniper & Jesus)

15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" Matt 27:15-17 (NASB)

III Beating Jesus and then releasing Him,

22 And he said to them the third time, "Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him." Luke 23:22 (NASB)

B Pilate isn’t the only one who tries avoid making a decision about Christ.

a There are three main ways people today try to escape. . .

I Beat the clock (I’ll do it when I get older)

II Convince themselves they’ve lived a moral life

III Join a church

b These are not escaping at all, a decision to beat the clock, etc. is a decision of rejection of Christ!

C When you have to make a choice and don’t make it, that is in itself a choice.

T.S.: Pilate was accomplishing nothing in way of avoiding making a decision about Christ, but the crowd wouldn’t allow Pilate to escape without making one.

24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves." Matt 27:24 (NASB)

II Pilate made the decision to try and save himself.

A Pilate already had tried 3 times to avoid making a choice (Herod, Barrabas, beating), having accomplished nothing.

Pilate heard voices from two different places.

a Heart

38 "What is truth?" Pilate exclaimed. Then he went out again to the people and told them, "He is not guilty of any crime. John 18:38 (TLB)

21 But they kept shouting back, "Crucify! Crucify him!" 22 He tried a third time. "But for what crime? I’ve found nothing in him deserving death. I’m going to warn him to watch his step and let him go." Luke 23:21-22 (MSG)