Three Attempts to Trap Jesus - Part Two
LESSON
This was the case with Pilate. He knew Jesus was innocent of the charges brought against him. He declared him innocent and even tried to release him. But in the end he gave in and had Jesus crucified. Why? It is because he was afraid of Caesar. Toward the end of the trial, when Pilate was holding out against their wishes, the Jewish authorities played their trump card, crying out, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar" (John 19:12). As a result of that implied threat, Pilate, who feared Caesar and wanted to be Caesar's friend more than anything else in the entire world, gave in and condemned the sinless Son of God.
The irony is that Pilate failed to secure Caesars friendship even so, because a few years after Christ's trial he was removed from office by the proconsul of Syria and was banished to France, where he died.
STUDY QUESTIONS
- Why is it important to have accountability for people in government?
- What happens if we abandon the authority of God?
- Notice times when you act out of fear rather than faith in God. When you do so, to whose authority are you bending?
- Login to post comments