We are now just over a week before our celebration of the greatest event in history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Leading up to that glorious event were all manner of horrific situations our Lord encountered that were predestined for Him to be our substitute for sins. One of those encounters was with Pilate, the Roman procurator of Judea who ruled from AD 26 to AD 36. The Jewish leaders had been under conspiracy to kill our Lord for some time, but this was further elevated following the resurrection of Lazarus (John 11:53). Our Lord was arrested and bound during the night and initially passed from the Jewish leaders Annas, then to Caiaphas. Both of these rulers desired to be viewed as exonerated so that our Lord was then sent to Pilate with the excuse, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death” (John 8:31). Ironically, when asked what Jesus had done to deserve a death sentence, their answer was, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” In other words, take our word for it, He deserves to be put to death. This kind of dialogue was taking place with the backdrop of absolute disrespect and hatred between the Jewish leaders and the Roman authorities. Just prior to the mock Jewish trials, which were illegally held at night, Jesus had entered Jerusalem on what is called the triumphal entry being herald as the Messiah (Luke 19:28ff). The reasoning behind this is stated in Luke 19:37 as not because of a true understanding of who He was or why He came the first time, but “for all the miracles which they had seen.” The people were excited for what they had been taught that a Messiah would deliver them from Rome. Now, instead they will deliver their Messiah to Rome for execution.

For this brief writing, I want to focus on the dialogue between our Lord and Pilate. Pilate was a Roman politician, much like most of our politicians today. He was most concerned about how he appeared. He sought to appease the people in order to keep down rebellions and appear in control for Caesar in Rome. At the same time, he knew what true justice was and made a feeble attempt to maintain some sense of integrity but failed. Having ended his initial confrontation with the Jewish leaders, Pilate’s dialogue with our Lord begins. He says to Jesus, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He is dealing with Christ in a mocking manner as if Christ is an insurrectionist. It is interesting that Christ, knowing their heart, would not answer questions before the Jews. Pilate, on the other hand, is not so interested in the truth as much as he is in keeping the peace and controlling all forms of trouble.

The Jewish leaders had accused Christ before Pilate as a troublemaker (Luke 23:2). Pilate’s concerned question with Jesus was are you seeking to establish an insurrection to make yourself King?  Are you a political threat to the authority of Rome? So, he asks, “Are You the King of the Jews” (John 18:33)? From Pilate’s perspective, here is a plain looking man who certainly has no physical appearance as a king. If Christ answered simply yes or no, either answer would be inappropriate! If He said, “yes” then He was an anarchist or a threat to Rome. If He said “no,” that would not be true as He was indeed the King of Kings as well as the true King of the Jews. So, our Lord wisely replies with words designed to prick Pilate’s limited sense of justice. He moves Pilate into an unexpected dialogue. He says, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” The question is, are you asking from personal concern to protect Rome, or from the perspective of these Jewish leaders? Pilate knows this and responds, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done (John 18:35)?”

In Matthew 27:18-19 we are informed that Pilate knew that Christ was being charged out of hate and envy. Also, he had to be at least aware of Christ’s teaching and miracles. We know additionally that Pilate’s wife had been given of God a frightening dream which she had passed on to him warning him not to convict our Lord (Matt. 27:19). Now you see God is orchestrating these circumstances so that the boundaries of truth, justice, and righteousness will be pushed beyond reason and limit. Through this situation Christ will display the hate, vile nature, and hardness of men who would stoop so low as to crucify, not only a completely innocent man, but the Lord of life.

Our Lord answers the issue of Him being an insurrectionist against Rome, He says, “My kingdom is not of the world” (John 18:36), and provides evidence by saying, “If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” The word for world and the word for realm are two different words. The word, “realm” explains what the Lord means by His kingdom is not of this world. The idea of realm is that our Lord is not on either the side for the Jews or the side of Rome. That is not what He is about. We know He is about the same “kingdom” mentioned in His model prayer, “Thy kingdom come,” a kingdom of righteousness and truth which will come. This is further clarified in the remaining dialogue of this text with Pilate. Christ responds to his question; “So You are a king” with, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37). As Christians our hearts and minds dwell in this promised realm. We also are not of this present world. We are called, “strangers and exiles” (Hebrews 11:13), because we have heard His voice of truth. What was the hallmark of all that Christ did that made Him so different? He and His kingdom are marked by truth. He has nothing to do with falsehood, nor should we who are His own.

According to John, after this dialogue Pilate says to Christ, “What is truth?” This is a scoffing and pessimistic dismissal. It is a cheap way of not facing reality! The same kind of excuse many use today in making evil decisions. Pilate then ends his conversation with our Lord and returns to the accusing Jews where he will compromise what is now clear to Him, “I find no guilt in Him.” Even though Pilate knew our Lord was innocent, which he further showed by ceremonially washing his hands (Matt. 27:24), he would not only act to have Him beaten, but crucified, and he does so for his own selfish and expedient purposes.

This is only a portion of the story of our redemption through Christ. God foreordained all the people and situations to happen, just as it did, knowing the Jews and Pilate. They murdered the King of glory! They suppressed the truth in unrighteousness at the highest possible level, and they are without excuse!  How should it affect us in our thoughts and walk with God? Do we take His example to heart? Are we willing to put ourselves out on behalf of Christ? Do we stand for the truth which is God’s Word even against all expedient pressures? Do we consistently honor God and His Word above the situations of life that would tempt us to compromise? I am so thankful that Jesus Christ died for sinners! He endured in patience all of this mockery of truth and justice in love to save undeserving sinners. To look at the terrible ordeal of the cross should tug at our hearts, for we are the causing sinners, but it is the most beautiful picture ever made of the glory and love of our God! Hallelujah, what a Savior!