City Life Starter

Written by Paul Lane

The Word

¹³ Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. ¹⁵ Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. ¹⁶ I will therefore punish and release him.”^[a]

^{a – Here, or after verse 19, some manuscripts add verse 17: Now he was obliged to release one man to them at the festival}

Luke 23:13-17 (ESV)

³⁷ Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. 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.” ³⁸ Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 

John 18:37-38 (ESV)

¹⁹ Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.”

Matthew 27:19 (ESV)

Reflection

John McArthur explains that prior to this interaction with Jesus, Pilate had an extensive history with these Jewish leaders.  On previous occasions, Pilate had done things to show these Jewish leaders how powerful he was as a Roman leader, but these Jews were able to appeal to Ceasar more directly.  And in these previous interactions, Pilate had lost on these appeals.  By the time Jesus is before his throne, Pilate is basically on probation, and the Jewish leaders have the upper hand.  If Pilate goes against the Jews in this case, it is very likely that he could lose his position.  So, he has a strong incentive to rule as they wish.

On the other hand, as can be seen from the text, Pilate can see that Jesus has broken no Roman laws.  Pilate has taken on this job because the previous ruler of this region, Herod’s brother, had been a harsh ruler.  So, Rome needed someone who could come in and quiet the place down, but still show that Rome was a place of law and order.  If Pilate did not rule according to Roman law, he might lose more than his job.

Given this dilemma, Pilate was desperate to find a way out.  First, he questions Jesus and discovers that it is not really a problem with Roman laws being broken, so he tells the Jewish leaders to deal with it themselves.  Next, he sends Jesus to Herod (Herod Antipas), because Jesus is from Herod’s region.  Then Jesus is sent back to him, only for the dilemma to be completely entrenched.  So, he tried to split the difference; He said he’ll have Jesus beaten really badly and then released.  That way, the Jews get part of what they want, but Pilate would not be on the hook for having killed someone who had not broken the law.  It is not a brave solution, but statistically all things should average out to a win.

This final solution might have worked, if not for one thing.  Pilate was working against the providence of God.  This was Jesus’ appointed hour.  His suffering, death, and resurrection were to happen now, and there was no way out.  Though Pilate might wiggle as a worm, he could not get off the hook.  God had so contrived these circumstances to produce a Roman/earthly ruler who would at once proclaim the innocence of Christ while sentencing Him to death. 

LADY MACBETH  Out, damned spot, out, I say! One. Two.
Why then, ’tis time to do ’t. Hell is murky. Fie, my
lord, fie, a soldier and afeard? What need we fear
who knows it, when none can call our power to
account? Yet who would have thought the old man
to have had so much blood in him?

Macbeth, Act 5 Scene 1 – William Shakespeare

Application

This interaction with the Jewish and Roman leaders is so full of love and fear and misery.  The drama hangs heavy in the air, and the feelings are the deepest one can experience in life. Please read these passages slowly and meditate on them. They are intended to break your heart, so let it break.

See the corruption of the religious and political leaders, but do not dwell on them.  They are us, for we lead religious and political lives and should not think we could do much better, even with the benefit of hindsight.  In our own strength we step in the face of Christ everyday and think nothing of it, until convicted by the Holy Spirit.

Think on the beauty of Christ.  Ask Pilate’s question, but wait for an answer; what is the truth?  Understand the Jesus is the Truth and let your heart cling to it as a life raft in the middle of a torrent ocean. But do not think of truth as if it is some cold answer in the back of a textbook. Think of it as someone who loves you kneeling and praying for you in a garden.

Prayer

⁴ He brought me to the banqueting house,^{[Hebrew the house of wine]}
    and his banner over me was love.

Song of Solomon 2:4 (ESV)

The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.
    How great is his joy in the victories you give!

² You have granted him his heart’s desire
    and have not withheld the request of his lips.^[b]
3 You came to greet him with rich blessings
    and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
⁴ He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—
    length of days, for ever and ever.
⁵ Through the victories you gave, his glory is great;
    you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.
⁶ Surely you have granted him unending blessings
    and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
⁷ For the king trusts in the Lord;
    through the unfailing love of the Most High
    he will not be shaken.

Psalm 22:1-7 (ESV)