Mark 15: 8And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. 9But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 10For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. 11But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. 12And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? 13And they cried out again, Crucify him. 14Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. 15And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
There were many factors involved in the decision to send Jesus to the cross. All four gospel narratives and the Old Testament prophets give us Jesus’ mission to earth. Sin had to be dealt with. Salvation was the plan through the sacrifice of the Son of God. He took our sin and punishment. He died so we could be free. This is the truth of the gospel, and if it doesn’t save you, nothing will. What Jesus did for us is laid out plainly. It was for our sins, one of which was committed by Pilate.
Pilate reminded the people many times that Jesus had done nothing wrong, yet they continued to yell “crucify him.” What was Pilate’s reason for sentencing Jesus to death? Do we have anything in common with Pilate? The Chief Priest and Sanhedrin had reasons. God had reasons. The way to salvation was through the agony of the cross. We have no reason to disbelieve. The only reason Pilate did what he did is given to us in verse 15. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
We look down on Pilate. When Jesus spoke to him, fear gripped his heart. Still he did this. Was he manipulated or coerced? He was his own person with his own free will. He could have set Jesus free, but he didn’t. The determining factor was one reason. It’s the same one that gets us from time to time. Pilate had one reason—pleasing the people. He wanted them to be content. He was tired and aggravated with the pressure. He saw an advantage in giving the people what they wanted. He was more afraid of the people than he was the Son of God standing beside him. He sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion. This is most inexcusable and very foolish to do.
Before we condemn him, let’s consider our treatment of Jesus. Jesus cautioned his followers about being ashamed of him with a warning that if they were ashamed of him before men, he would be ashamed of them before the Father. How is Jesus being concealed? Why are we prone to hide our belief in the Bible and God? Why do some hide that they go to church? The practical lesson that Pilate taught us is so important. How are we treating the Lord ourselves?
Jesus blessed Peter, and when Jesus needed him most, Peter let him down. By the fire, while Jesus was being tried by the priests, Peter denied three times that he knew the Lord. He even cursed and swore that he didn’t know him. Like Pilate, he wanted to content the people. The rooster crowed. He realized then just what he had done and wept bitterly.
Pilate could have released Jesus, but he delivered the death sentence. To content and please the people, he sent Jesus to the cross. It happens every time we don’t stand up for God. It happens every time we don’t stand behind the Bible standards. Sometimes we get put on the spot. Sometimes it comes from our family; they’ll put us to the test. It hits us when we least expect it. It’s a serious thing to be ashamed of Jesus. It’s a serious thing to make excuses for others, to look the other way when asked about moral matters. It’s the current practice to consult what others think and not what the Bible says. Jesus needs us to stand for him. When he comes back, will he find faith in the earth? We have two choices. Either confess Jesus or deny him. If we try to please others, we do no different than Pilate.
Jesus needs our testimony. People are standing pro/con on anything and everything. If Christians had stood years ago for many things, we wouldn’t be facing things we do today. America is choosing to please the people and going to hell. If you really want to help your friends and family, be true to Jesus. If it causes others not to speak to you, so be it. If some think you’re ignorant, so be it. People will respect you more for standing than betraying what you profess.
Did Pilate’s reason really please the Jews? Did he become their favorite procurator? Bible history tells us they had no more respect for him. Stand up and help people with the truth even if they don’t like it. We don’t have to make the same mistake Pilate did.
Verses 16-20 say And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
Determine in your heart that you will not do away with Jesus. Determine that you won’t commit the same mistake Pilate made. Let’s choose the Master over everything else.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 