Pilate’s wife did her best to influence her husband and turn things around. It was all because of a dream.
Matthew 27: 17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. 19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
So much took place quickly. The same is true today. Many things are happening in our world and in our lives. The world gets more dangerous and wicked day by day, even hour by hour. We have personal dilemmas too. The devil is expert at it and we are no match for him. Only God can help us.
In the early morning the Sanhedrin met and trumped up false charges. When asked if he was the son of God, Jesus answered truthfully. The verdict was guilty. They sent him to Pilate. He was the governor. The people were under domination of the Roman Empire. When our nation set up as “one nation under God” the devil went to work to stop us. It depends on what we do with Jesus. We must put being in God’s kingdom above being Americans. Anyone can be part of it by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. That’s our comfort in these trying hours. There is madness rushing over the world. The church is still here. The Word of God is here and it’s the word of the living God and is for everybody who trusts in Christ. We’ll make it. We need to remember that we are not of this world.
A messenger came to Pilate with an urgent note from his wife. Pilate was in charge of representing Caesar. He tried to be fair and equitable in his rulings. He could speak for Rome and himself. The night before, as they got ready for bed, it was a typical night. He probably talked and complained a lot about what he had to deal with. She probably talked about social events. She had no real worries. Little did they realize their Savior was in the Garden praying. He prayed for everyone to turn from their sins and believe in him. Jesus was awake all night agonizing. The torch bearers came. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. He was arrested and taken to the High Priest. The Jewish people tried him. Pilate was sleeping. His wife was dreaming.
Dreams can be funny. They can be embarrassing. I’ve dreamed of preaching with no clothes on. I’ve dreamed of preaching and you all had no clothes on. Other dreams can be frightening waking us with a racing heart. After you’re awake you can’t seem to get away from the dream. When Pilate’s wife awoke he was already gone. She knew where he would be so she sent a message to him. Verse 19 says when he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. I’ve wondered what the dream might have been. It may have been very frightening and she knew it was true and came from God.
Maybe God showed her a throne higher than Pilate’s, higher than King Herod’s and the Caesar’s. That would be the throne she would stand before in judgment—the throne of God. One throne was empty because God the Son was right down the road. He had been beaten and smacked. She saw a God in heaven and knew that Jesus was his son. Her Roman religions and philosophies didn’t matter. There was a God. She was a sinner. Multitudes had stood before Pilate in judgment to live or die. He would make a life or death judgment that day. She may have suffered guilt for the first time. When she sent that note to Pilate he probably felt it too.
Later on Pilate tried to get out of it. He tried to shift responsibility to the people. They yelled for Barabbas and wanted Jesus to be crucified. He may have washed his hands of it but he was to blame as well as the people. Jesus was right and all others were wrong. He’s right. I’m wrong. He’s right. You’re wrong. We all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. If we don’t accept God’s way, we will perish. If we’re not in agreement with God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, we’re wrong; they are right.
The servant went with top speed to deliver the message. Angels are delivering the message today for us to get right with God. This was the day of days for Pilate and his wife. This may be the last opportunity for some. Pilate’s wife may have seen a lonely death. It’s a waste of life to believe what you want and stand for what you want and when you come to the valley of shadows have no one with you. It’s good to know Jesus. If a person doesn’t know Jesus, he will go through the valley alone.
Pilate’s wife may have seen herself in hell along with all those who turned Jesus away. What is done with Jesus is a decision we all have to make. Let’s stand for Jesus. When the day comes we’ll stand before him. If we’re ashamed of him here, he will be ashamed of us there. He’ll say depart from me. She may have experienced hell in her dreams. She knew the one with the crown of thorns was the King of Kings. Did she see the books opened and her name wasn’t there? Whosoever is not written in the Book of Life goes to the lake of fire.
While Pilate tried to hold back the crowd, the message arrived. He took the note and read “have nothing to do with this just man.” He is just. We are nothing. He is innocent. We are guilty. He is right. We are wrong. Pilate’s wife didn’t want him to join with the crowd. She was telling him to do whatever he had to do to stop it. Of all the counsel he had received, Pilate had a choice to make. We’ve had opportunity after opportunity. Pilate asked Jesus if he realized that he had power to help or hurt him. Jesus told him he had no power except what was given him by God. Jesus looked like the victim. He will not go back to the cross. He died once and only once.
Pilate probably thought if he let him go he’d lose his job. His retirement would be gone. When it all came down to it Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
That’s it. The decision is in our lap. If you’re lost or backslidden make the decision to follow Christ. Pilate was not off the hook. The time is coming. It will be too late. Cry out over the voices that say do away with Christ and cry out to God.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 