John 18:28-40 – Jesus Questioned
The Jews didn’t have the right of capital punishment so they took Jesus to the Roman governor, Pilate. Pilate had the authority to execute criminals. It was early morning and the Jews wanted to avoid ceremonial uncleanness so they didn’t enter the palace since they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. Jewish Law didn’t allow them to enter a Gentile’s house or they would become unclean. So Pilate came out to meet them.
The Jewish leaders had it all wrong. They looked at cleanliness as what was on the outward appearance. A person is unclean by what is in their heart and out of their heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. These things make a person unclean. What actually makes a person clean is confessing their sins to God. Then He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse a person from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).
Pilate asked Jesus if He was the king of the Jews. Jesus asked why he asked this question. Being a king had different meanings for different people. The Romans chose themselves to be kings. A king for Jewish leaders could have meant a leader of their religion – the Messiah. Jesus didn’t deny that He was King, but Jesus was not the kind of king Pilate was referring. He was not a king of a physical county. He was King over everyone who believed in Him. He is our King and everyone who obeys Him belongs to His kingdom.
Why did Pilate ask Jesus these 7 questions of Jesus? First, I think Pilate was looking for a way to not crucify Jesus. Also these questions affirm for us Jesus’ identity as God’s only Son, the incarnate Lord. These questions are for us as we consider our own life of faith and what we believe.
Jesus told Pilate that He was not the king of this world and that His kingdom was from another place. Jesus said He was a king and that is why He was born to come into the world to testify to the truth. Pilate missed the opportunity to recognize Jesus as the Son of God. Pilate asked what is truth. Then Pilate went out to the Jews and said he could find no reason to charge Jesus, but it was the custom to release one prisoner at the time of the Passover. He asked, “Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’? The crowd shouted, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” – John 18:39-40.
Pilate announced that Jesus was not guilty and was willing to let Him go, but the Jews refused and wanted Barabbas to go free instead. Barabbas was a robber and a murderer. He deserved punishment. We are all like Barabbas. We all deserve God’s punishment because of our sins, but Jesus has taken our punishment. His death has freed us from the results of our sins.
What is the truth? It is more than what is morally right or wrong. It means everything that is true about the nature of God and of men. It is about why we exist. It is about God’s plans and purpose on our behalf. Jesus showed this truth to us by His life, death and resurrection. The Bible says the Word of God is truth and the Spirit of God is truth.
Who have you crucified today?
We all have choices to make in this life. Jesus chose to obey and go voluntarily to His death for us. He remained in control through it all. Peter chose fear and doubt, but was restored later and repented. The soldiers chose to have clouded minds and follow false leaders. Annas chose to put himself above the law and use his power. He chose not to believe who Jesus was. Caiaphas chose to bring false witnesses to convict Jesus. Pilate chose to not stand up to the Jewish leaders for what was right. The people chose to be irresponsible and blinded to the truth. God holds each one of us responsible for our choices. We either trust or reject Jesus, the Son of God.
Principle: You have a choice: You can reject Christ, but as King He calls you to trust Him as Savior and Lord.
John 19:1-16 – Jesus Sentenced
Pilate had Jesus flogged. The soldiers made a crown of thorns and placed it on His head. They clothed Him in a purple robe and shouted at Him over and over again, “Hail, king of the Jews!” – John 19:3. They struck Him in the face.
Flogging was a dreadful kind of torture. Some even died during flogging before they were ever crucified. Pilate thought by flogging Jesus if would satisfy His accusers. Soldiers would whip the prisoner with a long leather strap studded with bits of lead and bone tearing the flesh to pieces.
Pilate brought Jesus out to the people and once again he told them he could find no charge against Him. The chief priests and officials shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” – John 19:6. Pilate said to take Him and crucify Him and that he found no basis for a charge against Him. The Jews insisted that according to the law he must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God.
Pilate became afraid. He didn't want to offend them fearing they would report him to Rome. He was also a superstitious Roman that believed the gods came to earth and they must be treated well or life would be made miserable for him. Even his wife said to have nothing to do with this innocent man, because of a dream she had. (Matt. 27:19). So Pilate questioned Jesus again asking Him where He was from, but Jesus didn’t answer. This angered Pilate telling Jesus that he had the authority to free or to crucify Him.
Jesus told Pilate that he had no power over Him. Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews keep shouting, “Crucify Him!” – John 19:15. He knew Jesus was innocent, but he was afraid of the Jews. He made the choice to deliver Jesus to be crucified.
Pilate was arrogant, weak, and a self-serving man. He wasn’t a strong or wise leader. He was a people-pleaser. He didn’t have anything against Jesus. He knew Jesus was innocent. If he let Jesus go free, it would anger the crowd even more and it might cost him his job. He was out for his own interests. He compromised his integrity to save his career. He feared man more than God.
When we live to please everyone so we can get ahead, we’re always fearful. We don’t want to offend people. It might get back to the boss. Sometime we fear God’s judgment, because we don’t always live up to God’s standards. When we put trust in Jesus as our Savior, we don’t need to fear people or God’s judgment. We need to trust that He has forgiven us through Jesus’ death on the cross. “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” – Rom. 8:1
Are you a people pleaser?
Jesus was spit on, hit in the face, scourged, wore a crown of thorns, mocked and unjustly crucified. He could have called 12 legions of angels and destroyed His persecutors. But He didn’t. He bore all the abuse for all sinners. We wore the crown of thorns so we could wear a crown of glory. He was clothed in a robe of shame so we could be spotless and stand before God in white robes. He bore contempt so we could receive praise and glory.
Principles: God is always in control and overrules man’s evil schemes.
Next week we will continue our study in John 19. Have a blessed day. – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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