Pontius Pilate

“What is truth?”

DECORATIVE A 7 igh above the procession stands the local Roman governor who watches with suspicion and paranoia as this man draws such a crowd. Pontius Pilate was in Jerusalem to observe the Jewish Passover for political reasons. It was Pilate’s custom to set free one prisoner as a gesture of good will during Passover. Little did he know that the man he was watching was soon to stand before in judgment.

The political struggle soon unfolded. The ruling party wanted Jesus dead. They falsely accused him as one who was a threat to the kingdom. Therefore, Pilate asked him “Are you the King of the Jews?”

In the 18th Chapter John...

36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews"

37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate.
Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

38 "What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. 39 But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?"

Pilate did not release Jesus. The people chose Barabbas, a common criminal. How strange that a thief went free and the holy and spotless One was the sacrifice. On Mount of Calvary, a dying thief was set free by the blood of Jesus. Because He was God, the blood he poured out on the cross is the sacrificial blood that paid for the sins of all people. Through faith in Jesus, that is, trusting in His work, He also sets you free.