Tuesday: The Unwitting Witness of Pilate
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 12th of November 2024
Time and again, John records the attempts of the religious leaders to seize Jesus, to bring Him to trial, and to sentence Him to death. A theme in John’s Gospel, stated often by Jesus, is that His time or hour had not yet come, by which He meant the time for His crucifixion (John 2:4; John 7:6,8,30; John 12:7,23,27; John 13:1; John 17:1).
Now the hour had come. Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, brought before Annas, then Caiaphas the high priest, then twice before Pilate.
John has called upon many witnesses from every walk of life to testify that Jesus was the Christ. Now John calls upon Pilate, the governor who tried Jesus. This was an important testimony because Pilate was a Roman, a governor, and a judge; most of the other witnesses were Jews and commoners.
How is Pilate’s verdict connected to the theme of John’s Gospel? John 18:38, John 19:4-22.
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Jesus was brought to Pilate early on Friday morning (John 18:28). His plan was to dispatch the prisoner quickly to His fate. But Jesus’ demeanor drew Pilate’s attention. The governor questioned Jesus closely and heard from His lips, “ ‘For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice’ ” (John 18:37, ESV).
Though the governor ultimately condemned Jesus to death, he nonetheless three times proclaimed Jesus innocent (John 18:38; John 19:4,6). And over the cross he wrote the words “ ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews’ ” (John 19:19, ESV), completing his witness to who Jesus is. And yet despite his testimony of Christ’s innocence, he nevertheless condemned Jesus to death.
Pilate had the Truth Himself standing before him and yet—allowing the mob to bully him—Pilate sentenced Jesus to death anyway! What a tragic example of not following what your conscience and heart tell you is correct!
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What can we learn from Pilate’s example about the dangers of allowing popular sentiment, even pressure, to keep us from doing what we believe is right? |
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There is no parallel with Pilate in the story I am about to tell you. Maybe I should go back to Sabbaths lesson, that story would be a parallel to the one I want to tell you about. Can any one think of a story that parallels the sign doubting Thomas was expressing to Christ. My time is running out so read about it in Judges 6:39.
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Pilate was a Pre-Christian, or at least Christ recognized him as potential redemption. His wife tried to reach him, he observed Christ followers, He could have become an amateur Christian and then a Mastor Christian if he chose. Just food for thought.
What, pray tell, is a Master Christian? I don't think any of us will reach our full potential until we are "changed in a twinkling of an eye." Maybe I'm reading and comprehending your comment wrong, but if you have the time please explain.
I do believe a Master Christian could be a title of a book thus the capitalization. I know your 1st thought went to Christ because of that capitalized master.
A master Christian is one simply put who trusts in God to the extent that Abraham our adopted father did. Hebrews 11:8-12. And also as Moses strived by the power invested in him by God to be a master Christian, He was so close to God that after his death God took him to heaven to live with Him and one day encourage Christ in His most trying hours. Hebrews 3:1-6.
Paul gives us many an example in his writings and faithfulness, of how to live a victorious life. Hebrews 12:12-17.
Peter gives his rendition of living as a victorious, or master Christian if you prefer. 1 Peter 2:1-12.
Have you ever argued with someone when you know that you are right but the other person is wrong? You make no headway with that person, so you give up and say, "Have it your way!" in frustration. That may work for some things but for matters of life and death. Giving up on principle is a sign of a moral vacuum.
Pilate directed that Christ should be crucified even though he declared him innocent. It speaks volumes of where Pilate was at in terms of government and social standing. Ultimately he wanted to be known as the "good guy" rather than a man of principle. Interestingly it is recorded that he was later removed from office because he violently suppressed a Samaritan event at Mount Gerizim. It raises the question as to whether he was somehow trying to win favour with the Jews.
Pilate's, quotable quote, "What is truth?" is perhaps an expression of frustration at Jesus' previous comments about the nature of his Kingdom. Attempting to nail down truth to something like a statement or dogma, Pilate was confronted with a relationship that was outside his thinking.
We know little of what happened to Pilate after his governorship of Palestine. Western Christianity has largely pictured him as a weak yet villainous character. Interestingly, Coptic Christian churches have a strong tradition that he ultimately became a Christian. Even if that is not true, it should be remembered that Pilate was confronted with Jesus to the extent that he asked the question, "What is Truth?" and if he had perceived that the answer to that question lay not in words but a relationship with Jesus, he would have had the answer he needed.
Hi Maurice, interesting lesson. That is why we should do what is right and allow God to defend us, as in the in the end Pilate still lost the job. Trust God no matter the circumstance.
Some have said that when after Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” he brought Jesus out and declared “Behold the man!” that he answered his own question, which is remenicsent of John declaring, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
The Jews escalated the charge against Jesus to treason and had Pilate not crucified Jesus, I cant help but wonder what the repercussions would be for him as a Roman leader. Maybe he did so to save his own life. I empathise with Pilate. He was in such a tough predicament.
What a powerful testimony to his conviction that Jesus is the king of the Jews is the sign.
Pilate’s example highlights the danger of allowing popular pressure to override one’s sense of right and justice. Despite believing Jesus was innocent, Pilate succumbed to the crowd’s demands, prioritizing social approval and stability over his convictions. Similarly, in U.S. presidential elections, candidates and officials faced immense pressure from public opinion, party agendas, or influential groups, which can sometimes lead them to compromise personal beliefs or ethical standards. Pilate’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity and the courage to uphold one’s values, even when it may be unpopular or costly.
"An unwitting witness". Thank you Maurice for paving the way as I reflect on my relationship with Christ. While Pilate's stance in that trial reminds me of John 12.43, "For they loved the praise of men rather than the praise of God", it also raises questions about my stance as a Christian.
Am I an unwitting, or maybe not a clever witness? Am I a people pleaser? Do I stand for principle or the truth? These questions require me to reflect on my relationship with Christ. Thankfully,John reminds us of his reason for providing these witnesses... "But these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ,the Son of God." My hallelujah statement is the latter part of the verse... "and that believing ye might have life through His name".
Will someone give me a clear answer to question #1 "how is Pilate's verdict connected to the theme of John's Gospel?"
Good question brother Dalton
I think the connection comes where we are drawing the witnesses of Jesus from the gospel of John and here comes one of them-Pilate ,even tho this witness was not positive but still we got to learn something from it ,the writer dubs it the Witting witness.
The thought that came to me was that by declaring Jesus innocent and yet killing Him, he set up Jesus as an innocent sacrifice - which fits with the "lamb of God"
1. Theme: “A theme in John’s Gospel, stated often by Jesus, is that His time or hour had not yet come, by which He meant the time for His crucifixion“
— — from His lips, “ ‘For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice’ ” (John 18:37, ESV).
2. Theme: “John has called upon many witnesses from every walk of life to testify that Jesus was the Christ. “
— — Christ = anointed one; Hebrew kings (and priests) were historically anointed with oil, (if memory serves me correctly.)
— — John 19:19 “Pilate also had a notice posted on the cross. It read:
JESUS OF NAZARETH,
THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
I think that there has always only existed the legal aspect that justified the condemnation of Jesus in the eyes of Pilate and the religious leaders of the Sanhedrin. Pilate only indirectly participated, washing his hands of the ‘stain of participation’ in this sham trial, as the religious leaders proceeded with the punishment prescibed of one transgressing their religious laws.
I do not think that Pilate nor the religious leaders had the slightest inkling about the premise of Jesus’ guilt – that their 'punishment' for transgressing the religious Law was used to fulfill God’s promise to redeem mankind by His Grace through their faith in His Son.
I feel sorry for Pilate as he was between a hard place and a rock. He already had Jesus flogged, trying to appease the crowd and allowed for them to have a choice of freeing Him or a true criminal. But could he on legal grounds have stopped the Jews from doing what their heart and mind was set on to do? Pilate’s heart and mind was touched by the Truth, but his hands were bound by the law.
Pilate, a gentile, found Jesus 'not guilty' on civil legal grounds, but Jesus’ fellow Jewish brothers and sisters found Him 'guilty' on religious grounds. Could he have understood the type of ‘kingship’ Jesus would bring to the world? No! Though He must have been in great turmoil as his conscience wrestled with his inability to intervene.
Pontius Pilate, representing the Roman empire in his position as governor, was unable to stop the Jews on legal grounds, and either side was unable to perceive that all was still well. Both side's powers were only legal powers used for judging the conduct of man. But God used all for His higher, spiritual purpose as He fulfilled His promise to bring spiritual Salvation to the world of mankind.
What can we learn from Pilate’s example about the dangers of allowing popular sentiment, even pressure, to keep us from doing what we believe is right?
— When we work against what we believe is truth, we sear our conscious. No amount of blaming others, for the action, will clear the self condemnation.
Any of of us can be a Pilate in our actions and response to popular opinion or pressure. I believe that the only way we can guard ourselves from being a Pilate is to deny ourselves of self and follow Christ. In other words don’t let the things (position, possessions, popularity etc) of this world keep us from abiding in and following the Truth who is Jesus himself. Pilate’s story shows that it is not enough to believe (James 2:19 says that the devil believes and trembles), we must act in faith and follow our conviction. It is the Holy Spirit who brings the conviction (John 16:8) but as beings with the freedom to choose, we need to choose what we do with that conviction. Pilate wrestled with his own conviction and succumbed to outward pressure. His choice was to crucify Jesus even though he believed he was innocent. The question for us is, what will we do with Jesus today?
There are situations when I may not recognize intrinsic principles or values, but since every choice leads to consequences, I always need wisdom from above.
King Solomon stated that there is nothing new under the sun. A disregard for truth and justice led to the crucifixion of Jesus at the hands of a corrupt political and judicial system. Similar conditions will bring about the persecution of God's people in the last days.
In "The Great Controversy" p. 592 Ellen White states, "Political corruption is destroying love of justice and regard for truth; and even in free America, rulers and legislators, in order to secure public favor, will yield to popular demand..."