Read His Words Before Ours!
Luke 23:1-12
John 18:28-19:16
Matthew 27:17-21
John 19:28-42
Cross, Day 6
What a day! I’ve faced some difficult decisions in my time as Roman Governor, but nothing like this! I’m sure the trial of Jesus is one I will never forget.
It was early in the morning when they brought him to me, saying he was leading people astray by telling them not to pay taxes, and that he was claiming to be the Messiah. It seemed clear to me that the man had committed no serious crime, so when I discovered he was a Galilean, it made sense to let Herod deal with it.
I thought my part in it was over.
If only it had been that simple…
Before long he was back.
Herod agreed Jesus was innocent, but his enemies were insistent he was a trouble-maker. They accused him of stirring up riots and rebellion.
It confused me.
He didn’t seem the type at all. He wasn’t angry or argumentative and, unlike most prisoners who desperately try to defend themselves, he hardly spoke a word. The whole time he displayed a calm, quiet…authority…. which was remarkable given the circumstances.
It was disconcerting.
It was as if he was the one in control.
I wasn’t sure what to do. I was convinced he didn’t deserve death. I suggested having him whipped before releasing him, thinking that might be enough to appease the religious leaders, but they refused to let it go. I suspected their real motive was envy, but there was no way to prove it.
Then I had an idea. The custom is that each year at Passover, one prisoner is set free, and the crowd chooses.
What if I offered them the chance to free either Jesus or Barabbas?
Barabbas was notorious – a murderer who had taken part in an insurrection against the government. Surely, the crowd would free Jesus!
But I had underestimated the powerful influence of the religious leaders
and the strength of their hatred.
To my amazement the crowd shouted repeatedly for Barabbas to be freed!
My plan had failed.
As I considered what to do next, an interruption came – a message from my wife: “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for today I’ve suffered terribly in a dream because of him.” (Matthew 27:19)
What did it mean?
What was I supposed to do?
The words kept running through my mind: “that righteous man.”
Surely, if he was righteous, I should set him free.
Silencing the cries of the crowd for a moment, I found my courage at last: “Take him and crucify him yourselves, since I find no grounds for charging him.” (John 19:6)
Their answer came quickly:
Under Jewish law, Jesus ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.
I have never felt fear like I did in that moment.
Who was this man?
I needed to speak to him some more.
Find out the truth before I made a big mistake.
“Where are you from?” I asked but, again, he was silent.
“Don’t you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you?” I asked, trying to get him to see the severity of the situation. Still, he remained calm:
“You would have no authority over me at all if it hadn’t been given you from above.”
(John 19:10-11)
Despite being Roman Governor, I have never felt more powerless.
What if He did hold all authority?
Once more, I attempted to release him, but the religious leaders retorted that if I released Jesus, I was rebelling against Caesar.
I tried to think, but the noise was relentless.
The fear of people was overwhelming.
The churning inside was unyielding.
“Crucify him! Crucify him!”, the crowd chanted over and over again.
Before long, I would have a riot.
I was torn. I truly believed the man was innocent, but the crowd were so angry, I didn’t know what to do.
Eventually, I called for a bowl of water and I washed my hands.
If he was going to die, they could take the responsibility.
This man’s blood would not be on my hands!
They agreed readily, so I handed Jesus over to be flogged and then crucified.
The decision was made, but I felt uneasy… I still do.
I suppose it’s guilt. I believed he was innocent, yet I let him die.
I wish I had been stronger, but it’s too late now. He’s dead.
It all happened quickly in the end. The Jews were keen for it to be over before the Sabbath, so they asked permission to break the legs of the men being crucified to hasten their deaths. I agreed, but when it came to Jesus there was no need.
He was dead already.
Some friends came and asked if they could bury his body and they placed it in a tomb, sealing the entrance with a stone.
Now it is truly over, but this is one trial that will continue to haunt me.
I’m not happy about the decision I made, and I feel unsettled.
Somehow, I just can’t shake the feeling I haven’t heard the last of this man, Jesus.
Like Pilate, we all have times when we must choose between loyalty to God and pleasing people. James writes that “whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God.” (James 4:4) May Pilate’s story motivate us to choose well.
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A Note About Cross
In this series, we are stepping into the shoes of various characters in Scripture and looked through their eyes as they saw the cross. We do our best to research the culture and times and all biblical support surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives as they watched the crucifixion, but we can’t be 100% accurate. These first-person stories are our best interpretation of how these characters viewed Jesus as He gave Himself up for us. Our hope is that by looking through their eyes, we will see the Cross differently as well, and be dramatically changed as we encounter the Savior!
Enjoy!
Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Cross Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Here’s a link to all past studies in Cross!
“It was as if he was the one in control.” I can imagine this thought going through Pilate’s mind, Lesley. I wonder what his wife said to him when she saw him later; he should have listened to her! I enjoyed reading this. 🙂
Thanks, Lois! Yes, I imagine Pilate’s wife may not have been too happy when she heard what happened!
Wow!!! I loved reading this perspective. You know, I thought it was remarkable that he publicly washed his hands off the death of Jesus. I never thought further about how he must have felt after. It was a great read.
Thanks, I’m glad it made you think!
Enjoyed this! Yes, may we always choose to please God over people.
Thanks, Kelly! Yes, Pilate’s story is a helpful reminder of the dangers of people-pleasing!
I love this perspective! Thanks so much for the fresh take on a familiar narrative! May it be a fresh reality as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection next week!
Thanks, Stacey! It is a great focus as we approach Easter!
I loved reading about Pilate in story form. Perspective is everything and you provided us the chance to see it from Pilate’s point of view. Thank you for taking us on this journey today.
Thanks, Mary! It is always interesting to think about a familiar story from a fresh perspective!
Lesley, hi!
Whenever I come to visit you here, these words knock me out in all the best ways –>’Read His Words Before Ours!’
It’s a reminder I need in front of me each morning. I appreciate this more than words can say.
Hi, Linda! Yes, it’s a great reminder which I need regularly too!
Lesley, you brought Pilate’s struggle to life for me. To be such a man of the world, and yet to possibly feel angst of the outcome of Jesus’ trial . . . I can’t say how many times I’ve regretted choosing to please people rather than stand firm in what God shared with me. I’m thankful for God’s grace and forgiveness when I choose wrongly. And I’m ever grateful for the redemption He’s given us!
Thanks, Jeanne! I think we all face those difficult choices between pleasing God and pleasing people at times. I’m grateful too for God’s grace and forgiveness when we make the wrong choice!
I know i’ve often fought the same battle “people vs God”. Too often I choose “people”. How grateful I am for the true reality Pilate’s story helps us see, and for immeasurable grace to keep having opportunities to please God! Thanks for sharing, Jeanne!
Thank you for taking us back to this very important day. It is so difficult when we are forced to make a decision between pleasing God and people. I am feeling pulled at this very moment and your post helped me to see it clearly. Thank you.
Thanks, Maree! I’m glad you found it helpful. Praying for wisdom and courage for you in your situation!
I loved reading the scripture in this way, felt like I was there with them. Would love to watch a movie from this POV.
Thanks, Meg! Yes, I’m sure it would make a great movie!
It is always interesting to try to step into the shoes of another. This post adds depth to the struggle Pilate may have felt. We all will face choices in this life. May we pray for strength to choose well. Blessings!
“Strength to choose well” – thank you for sharing, Joanne!
Thanks, Joanne! It is really interesting to consider what it might have been like for Pilate, and also to think about how it can help us in choices we face. Blessings to you too!
It is interesting to imagine what people may have thought or what we would have done.
It is really interesting to put ourselves in the characters’ shoes and imagine what it might have been like. Also to think about how their situation might relate to situations we might face.
I wonder what I would have done as well, Rebecca. It’s easy to look from our vantage point and criticize, but would I have done differently? I know I’ve acted as Pilate did countless times. Judas too.
[…] Join me at Gracefully Truthful to continue reading Pilate’s story, and to join in with the current series looking at the Cross from the perspectives of different characters. […]