TEXT: John 18:28-19:22

SUBJECT: Exposition of John #46: Christ Before Pilate

Let's continue our study of John's Gospel with the prayer that God will enable us to "Behold wondrous things out of [His] Law".

The Apostles' Creed says "Our Lord...suffered under Pontius Pilate". Some of the sufferings are found here. Not all of them--the world could not contain the books needed for that--but enough to make us know "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God".

The formal charge, vv.28-32.

Our Lord has already faced the Hebrew Court. They charged Him with heresy and convicted Him of it. This was a serious offense, for the Law of God condemned false prophets to death. Had they the power to carry out that Law, they would have surely stoned Him. But, of course, they didn't that power. Israel was occupied. The Romans allowed them to handle minor legal affairs, but nothing as serious as capital crimes. That prerogative belonged to Rome.

But there's the rub: The Romans didn't believe in truth, and therefore, didn't care about heresy. Thus, the Rulers must come up with something else; but what? It wasn't hard to figure out. What does Rome care about most? Power. What threatens power? A rival. And so, our Lord is brought to Pilate and charged with insurrection. He is "an evildoer" of the worst kind: "He said, `I am the King of the Jews'".

Had He made that claim? Yes He had, often. And more. But He had no political ambitions. When the people tried to force a crown upon Him, "He departed again to a mountain by Himself alone". He posed no threat to the Romans; the Council knew it. But maybe, just maybe, they could fool the Governor. Let's see.

Pilate's investigation, vv.33-38.

Pilate has heard the charge. Now he wants to know if it is true: "Are you the King of the Jews?"

That cannot be answered yes or no. Our Lord asks Pilate to clarify: "Are you speaking for yourself on this, or did others tell you this about Me?" He wants to know, in other words, Is Pilate interested in Truth or technicalities?

He scoffs, "Am I a Jew?" As though "Jewish truth" is somehow different that "Roman truth". We hear this every day: "Well, that may be true for you, but..." This is the kind of man who will decide the fate of God Incarnate.

Pilate couldn't care less about the truth, but He gets it anyway: "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now, My kingdom is not from here...For this cause was I born, that I should bear witness to the truth..."

Now it's clear: Jesus is a King, but not the kind Rome suppresses. His kingdom is spiritual, not political. He may be a crackpot or a guru, but He's no revolutionary. That's all Pilate cares about. The verdict: "I find no fault in Him at all".

This is noteworthy. The Scriptures have Messiah "Despised, rejected, stricken, smitten, wounded, bruised, oppressed, and afflicted". But always innocent! "They hated Me without a cause...He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth...You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption..."

Pilate did not know these Scriptures, of course, but he fulfilled them. The Slaughtered Sheep is also the Spotless Lamb. Acquitted and crucified. The Great Paradox.

Pilate Agonistes, vv.39-19:16.

Pilate is the rarest of men: a politician with a conscience. Well, sort of. He doesn't want to crucify an innocent man, but he also wants to stay in good with the local authorities. This won't be easy because they're the ones who want Him crucified. What to do?

Let the people decide! To help them make the right choice, Pilate nominates two men for amnesty: Jesus and Barabbas. "Now Barabbas was a robber". And everyone hates a thief. Pilate is off the hook. Until the people answer: "Not this Man, but Barabbas!"

Pilate is shocked! But not beaten. He has another idea: Play to their sympathy. He scourges Him, leaving His back cut to ribbons. He turns them over to his men for further abuse. They crown Him with thorns, dress Him in purple, and offer Him mock worship. Then he brings Him out again, and pleads with the people: "Behold the Man!" Hasn't He suffered enough?

No He hasn't. The Rulers shout back: "Crucify Him!"

But why? "Because He made Himself to be the Son of God". Now Pilate is really scared. The Romans believed in many gods who sometimes visited the world in human form. Needless to say, they weren't to be messed with!

Pilate takes the Lord back inside for further questioning: "Where are you from?" he wants to know. He means "Are you a god?"

No reply. The Governor is nervous, but he's also arrogant. "I have the power to crucify You, and the power to release You".

Is that right? Our Lord doesn't think so. "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given to you from above..." Pilate's authority was derived from God. And he's using it to crucify His Son! What an abuse of power!

But Pilate's not alone. "Therefore, the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin". Not only was Pilate's power derived from God, but so was Caiaphas'! He was the High Priest--an office God gave to Israel for His own glory and for the good of His people. He was using it to crucify Messiah and to destroy the Covenant people. His sin, therefore, "was greater".

Pilate is further shaken. He's eager to release the Lord, but the Rulers are ready for him. "If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar's friend".

No way out of that one; Pilate gives in. Humiliated by the Jews, he will now return the favor. A cross is prepared and a sign is put up on it--in Pilate's handwriting, it seems. It is a joke, of course:

JESUS OF NAZARETH

THE KING OF THE JEWS

Just to be sure no one misses it, Pilate writes it in three languages: Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Now everyone can have a good laugh on the Jews. For centuries they have prayed for a King. He has come at last. And they have enthroned Him. On a cross.

The Rulers explode Not "The King of the Jews", but "He said, `I am the King of the Jews'". But Pilate gets the better of them: "What I have written, I have written".

"Oh the depths both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His ways and His wonders past finding out!"

Never has the wisdom of God been more perfectly displayed! Think about it: When did these events take place? At Passover. Where? In Jerusalem. So? Over one million Jews had come to town for the celebration. Where were they from? All over the world. What languages did they speak? Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. What was the first thing they read when they got there?

JESUS OF NAZARETH

THE KING OF THE JEWS.

What effect did it have on them? It must have jarred everyone; the more thoughtful must have reflected on the Prophecies. Wouldn't they "Look upon Him whom they had pierced?" Maybe this was Him. Wouldn't He be "Called a Nazarene"? Doesn't "Jesus" mean "Savior"? Wouldn't "Men of other tongues speak to this people?" A lot to think about. And think about it they did. For fifty days. Then they acted. "Three thousand were added to the church". "The disciples were greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. And a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith".

What Pilate meant as a joke; what the Rulers took as an insult, God used as a billboard to His people and to the world. "Jesus of Nazareth is the King of the Jews". And more: He is "The Savior of the World". Why? You know that by now, because "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God".

And by believing that, you "Have life through His name". God cause you to believe, for Christ's sake. Amen.