To see the second kind of person who rejects Jesus, we look no further than Pontious Pilate. He was a coward, only interested in self. For Pilate, there was never a doubt about Jesus’ innocence. Three times he declared Jesus not guilty. He couldn’t understand why these people wanted to kill Jesus, but his fear of the Jew’s political pressure made him decide to allow Jesus’ crucifixion. For you to really see this, I need to give you a little history on Pilate… His relationship with the Jews had always been stormy. On several occasions his actions deeply offended the Jewish religious leaders. There was one time when the religious leaders went over Pilate’s head, and complained about him to Caesar (Who was the Emperor of Rome). So Pilate knew he could be in trouble, perhaps lose his job as governor, and cost him any further advancement if he didn’t appease the people. Let me show you the scripture that speaks of this…
“But at this point the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?”
They shouted back, “Crucify him!
“Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?”
But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”
So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.” Mark 15: 11-15
Pilate caved under pressure – bowing to the public demand. He was afraid to take a stand for truth for fear of what the people would say. He abandoned what he knew was right. Pilate was staring truth right in the face…
“Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him.
“Are you the king of the Jews,” he asked him.
Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?
“Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?”
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
Pilate said, “So you are a king?”
Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”
“What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime.” John 33-38
We know people just like Pilate who are more concerned with people’s opinions rather than God. They’re not usually openly hostile towards the Gospel, they are only concerned for themselves and their own selfish interests. The bottom line is that they choose the world over Christ. When we ignore God’s clear statements of right and wrong and make decisions based on the preferences of our audience, we fall into compromise and lawlessness. God promises to honor those who do right, not those who make everyone happy.
We share a common humanity with Pilate. At times we know what is right but choose what is wrong. He had his moment in history, and now we have ours. What have we done with our opportunities and responsibilities? What judgment have we passed on Jesus?
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