Jesus Tried By Pilate

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Mark 15:1-5,15
Psalters: 237, 387, 223, 156
  1. The participants
    1. Pontius Pilate is the Roman governor – a position of God-ordained authority.
      1. Jesus confirmed this (John 19:10,11).
      2. Pilate was appointed to this position by Caesar, the Roman emperor, who is the political power of Antichirst.
    2. The issue was Jesus’ Kingship: “Art Thou the King of the Jews?” (2).
      1. The Jews accused Jesus of “forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ a King.” (Luke 23:2).
      2. Though Christ is the anointed King of God, their specific accusation is a lie.
    3. Jesus immediately lets Pilate know that His kingdom “is not of this world” (John 18:36).
  2. Pilate tried Jesus.
    1. Pilate had his authority from God only.
      1. He was responsible, not to the people, but to God.
      2. As judge he had the obvious duty to release Jesus and condemn the scribes and Pharisees.
    2. In the whole trial he was convinced that Jesus was innocent.
      1. Pilate hears the evidence, but finds nothing at all against Jesus: “I find no fault in this man” (Luke 23:4).
      2. Four times Pilate tried to release Jesus (Luke 23:4,6-12,14; Mark 15:14).
      3. Jesus’ silence (3) again evidences his innocence, that the charges are false (I Peter 2:23).
    3. Yet Pilate revealed himself to be a very wicked judge (John 18:28).
      1. He is governed by fear - afraid of Jesus’ silence and of the Jews.
      2. He is moved, not by Jesus’ innocence, but by self preservation.
  3. The significance.
    1. Why did God deem it necessary that Jesus be brought before the Roman governor and judge?
      1. First, to establish Jesus’ innocence, and that before the best law of the land.
      2. Second, to reveal the deliberate perversity of justice by the world-power, resulting in their condemnation.
    2. It seemed as if Christ, the King, was defeated.
      1. The King of truth humbled Himself and allowed Himself to be judged by the antichristian beast.
      2. But His is the victory, as He fights the fight His Father gave Him to fight.