John 18:38-19:16; 2 Chronicles 29; Psalm 85

“The Jews answered him, ‘We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.’ Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, ‘Where are You from?’ But Jesus gave him no answer.” (John 19:7-9 NKJV) 

Pilate and the Jewish leaders didn’t get along. When they brought Jesus to him over a religious squabble, perhaps he thought Jesus was really innocent, or at least not deserving of death. Perhaps he saw Jesus as someone who could be used to cause the Jewish leaders trouble. Whatever the situation, Pilate kept bringing Jesus back to them, declaring His innocence. Then the Jews finally revealed their true reason for wanting Jesus crucified – “…He made Himself the Son of God.” To a Jew, that was the ultimate blasphemy, to a Roman, that was scary stuff. The Romans had tales of Zeus coming to earth and fathering children. He knew enough about God, the one the Jews worshiped, that the idea of Him having a Son was scary. What was worse for Pilate was that Jesus wouldn’t even talk with him. 

I wonder if Pilate felt like his importance in this whole process was gone. Jesus wouldn’t talk with him, and then, when He did say something, He told Pilate that he was merely a pawn in the eternal game the Jewish leaders were playing. God’s redemption plan demanded the cross. The Jewish leaders thought they were in control, but they were just playing their part in God’s plan. God’s redemption plan was to provide an opportunity for all people to enter into a relationship with Him: a relationship marked by His love, grace, and forgiveness. Little did the Jewish leaders and Pilate know the part they were playing in God’s plan.That plan should speak to you today. Do you know God’s love and grace? Have you experienced His forgiveness? The ultimate question you need to ask yourself is about Jesus. Is He the Son of God or God the Son, or is He a pretender. If you realized that He’s God the Son, and you haven’t started following Him yet, today’s a perfect day to commit your life to Him. If you’d like to make that commitment and I can help, just let me know in a message or in the comments. 

Lord, I can imagine it’s scary for someone to think of You as God the Son. Yet, that’s who You are. I pray that anyone who reads this today who hasn’t started following You yet will commit their lives to You and experience the eternal joy that comes from Your grace and forgiveness.