Pilate’s Conversation with Jesus
Pilate asked Jesus, ” are you King of the Jews?” Jesus responded “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.”
These words from Jesus spoke volumes because Pilate and many others knew the follow Jesus had. Even the chief priest feared the people if they took Jesus a certain time. Luke 22:2. Why didn’t the people cry out for Jesus to be free this time? Jesus responded to Pilate yes and also He, Jesus testified of truth.
Pilate asked Jesus “What is truth?” Immediately Pilate said he find no fault in Him. Pilate was a man of authority who heard the Truth speak to him. Pilate tried his best to get Jesus off the hook of death “You have a custom to release another…”John 18:39. Pilate was hoping they would take Jesus, instead the people request Barabbas.
Pilate played along again Pilate expressed he found no fault in Jesus. Then the Priest said it clearly Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, which made Him worthy of death.
Pilate didn’t think Jesus was beside Himself. Pilate became more convicted more afraid although in the seat of such power, he was faced to face with Power. Pilate really wanted to let Jesus go. He didn’t ask Him if He was a King this time, but “where are you from.” As if to say which place are you King of.
Pilate thought he had power. Jesus said “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” John 19:11.
Pilate knew He came across an authority greater than Himself. This King Jesus before him was not seeking sympathy, Jesus wasn’t seeking to be let go. Jesus didn’t want to cut a deal. “Like a sheep before his shearers he opened not his mouth…” Is 53:7 least they might let him go.
Pilate knew He was before the King of Kings. He knew it in his spirit. He tired to let Jesus go.
” The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.”Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” John 19:21-22
Pilate wrote the truth. The questions stands how do we respond to Jesus today? Should we crucify him or accept and serve Him as King. Let us sanctify they Lord Jesus in our hearts
15 but [a]sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a [b]defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and [c]reverence; 16 [d]and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 17 For it is better, if [e]God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. – 1 Peter 3:15-17
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
