[Pilate] said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. John 19:14-16
I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 19:12-16, where we see Pilate's efforts to release Jesus, yet the Jews presented Pilate with a conundrum that he could not avoid, and ultimately he caved to their desire to crucify Jesus. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.
- What do we learn from the text about God?: Nothing stops God's plan. Pilate, the leading earthly authority in Jerusalem - could not find fault or guilt in Jesus - yet Jesus proceeded with the Father's plan to send His Son to be the final (and perfect) sacrifice and atonement for all of humanity's sin.
- What do we learn from the text about people?: Pilate's heart is softened to the extent that He sees Jesus as not guilty and he wants to learn more about Jesus, but the Jews present Pilate with a conundrum. The Jews claim that Pilate should be concerned about a threat to Caesar's rule and they make an incredible claim that they see Caesar as their king - vv12, 14-16. Unfortunately, they did not see Jesus for who He really is - their Promised Messiah. Pilate must have felt he had no choice to agree with the Jews and put Jesus to death because he feared an uprising or disturbance from the Jews that might have reached Caesar back in Rome.
- Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid seeing Jesus as anything but King of Kings and as the One True God who saves. Claim the promise that Jesus is who He says He is - sent from God to seek and save the lost and that all are lost without Jesus. Follow the example of Jesus who willingly lost His life in service to the Father and to all who follow Him. Love and worship God above all others.
My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves...You willingly laid down Your life so that I could have victory over sin and death. Thank You Jesus for my salvation. I am not deserving. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses for Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
