QT 5/16/2022 Matt 27:11-18, Pilate's foolishness

Matthew 27:11–18 (ESV) — 11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. 15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.

 

NOTE: The only question or charge that Jesus replies to is the question of his identity. John adds a little more detail to Jesus' reply where Jesus says that his kingdom is not of this world, and that angels are his servants. As the Roman authority, Pilate's only concern is insurrection and riot. He finds Jesus innocent and yet chooses to go forward with the execution believing that the crowd will free Jesus. I think there is a lesson here. Pilate could have chosen to do the right thing and free Jesus on the basis of his innocence. But he tries to play both sides, to appease the leaders, to appease the crowd, and to fulfill his judicial role. He fails. Ultimately it is God's plan that he fail, for Jesus' death is the ultimate goal, salvation for the world.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I try to shirk a duty or responsibility by passing it off onto someone else or onto events I believe will alleviate the problem?
2. Am I willing to courageously face the decisions that are mine to make?

 

PRAYER: Father, while this passage shows your sovereignty and the fulfillment of your plan, it also gives an example of failed leadership, where a leader does not do the right thing but tries to game the result. Help me to have the courage to do the right thing at work and not to "game" the system.