The Trial--Passion Week

Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him." 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!" 22 Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!" 23 Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!" 24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." 25 And all the people answered and said, "His blood beon us and on our children." 26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. Matt 27:17-26 (NKJV)

Pilate needed to answer his own question. "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" This is the same question that every woman, man and child will need to answer at some point in time. The way we answer this question will be the most important decision we ever make. It has eternal implications. When this chapter of our existence comes to an end and the next chapter begins, we will hear the voice of Jesus say one of two things: "Enter, thou good and faithful servant," or, "Depart from me, I never knew you." It all boils down to this pivotal decision: "What will you do with Jesus?"

When Jesus was brought before Pilate to be examined and tried, it became abundantly clear to Pilate that Jesus was an innocent man. A political problem--for sure--but not a criminal. He declared to the angry mob, that had been organized and incited to anger by the religious leaders of the Jews, "I find this man innocent!" He made this same declaration two more times, but he could not mollify the crowd before him. Then, in spite of his wife's warning, and in spite of knowing that Jesus was an innocent man, Pilate decided to do what was politically expedient and delivered Jesus to be crucified.

Pilate washed his hands before the mob and said, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person." But, he was not innocent of Jesus' blood. The Jewish leaders correctly accessed the situation when they said to Pilate, "Only you have the authority to execute a criminal."  Pilate caved under the political pressure and did the wrong thing. Living in a day of political correctness, the Church is coming under more and more pressure from an angry, belligerent culture that is demanding our compliance. The culture is offended that we would dare call sin..."sin." We are faced with a crucial decision: Will we cave in to the pressure or will we stand by our convictions?

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, I am concerned that the secular culture that surrounds the church is beginning to change the way Your people think. At the very least they are stilling our voice with the threat of persecution. I pray that You would give the Church a new burst of courage. Courage to speak the truth in love--courage to stand by the clear truths of Your Word--courage to stand by their convictions. May we not cave in to the pressure of political correctness, but may we stand true until we hear Your voice saying, 'welcome, thou good and faithful servant.' Amen"