Ambition over Truth – John 19:1-16

Pilate knew that Jesus didn’t deserve to be crucified. He knew Jesus hadn’t committed any crime. He tried to satisfy the crowd by having Jesus scourged and mocked. He tried to arrange for Jesus to be released under a custom that granted clemency to one offender at that season. But the crowd, made up of Jewish leaders and temple guards (which was not the crowd that had shouted Hosanna to Jesus earlier) insisted on crucifying Him. And they knew Pilate’s weak point. They declared that Pilate was no friend of Caesar if he released someone claiming to be king. Pilate valued his position and didn’t want any bad word reaching Rome. The Jewish leaders also knew they were acting to preserve their power and prestige. They went so far as to claim: “We have no king but Caesar.” In doing so, they denied the kingship of God.

Pilate and the Jewish leaders acted to preserve their own earthly positions and power. To do so, they proclaimed their allegiance to Caesar and turned their back on Christ. Do you know others who have turned their back on Jesus in order to please men they thought might help them? Have you done that? As Jesus told Pilate, all power comes from God. It is Him who we must please. Turning away from God in order to toady up to powerful men leads to disaster.

What person or persons do you seek to please? Are you so eager to please them that you would disobey God? Do you put as much effort into pleasing God as you do currying favor with these people?


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