Good Friday Service, 10 April 2009
Sto Pro Veritate (John 18:28-19:22)
The history of the human race is marked by many famous, and in their times, influential men and women. And no doubt there have been times throughout our lives when we’ve thought ‘I wish I could be more like him or her.
But equally I am pretty sure that none of us would pick Judas Iscariot! Nor do I suspect any of us would choose to be Pontius Pilate – yet Pilate is the one man whose name is repeatedly on the lips of God’s people. He is the only one who is mentioned in what has become known as the Apostle’s Creed. But it is not in honour that we say his name, quite the opposite – for Jesus ‘suffered under Pontius Pilate’. Pilate showed such weakness in the trial of Jesus, knowingly allowing injustice to dictate, and to eventually sign the death warrant of Jesus and sending Him to be crucified. Pilate stands as one of the villains of history.
Because of the threat of Jewish nationalism at the Passover the Roman garrison at Jerusalem would’ve been strengthened, and indeed Pilate would’ve come up from his palace at Caesarea to Jerusalem to keep a close eye on things. In the process Pilate found himself suddenly placed at the very hour and centre of the sharpest and fiercest crisis that the world has ever seen, the war between good and evil, God and the devil – the death struggle from the world’s redemption.
In this Pilate was faced with the moment of decision that focussed on what he ought to do with Jesus Christ – ‘Yes or No?’ As we look at Pilate’s handling of his part in this crisis it would be easy and very respectable to place Pilate in our thoughts on a pedestal of infamy – but are we sufficiently alive to the fact that our responsibility is as great? Will we side with the mob and contradict our conscience as Pilate did? Or will we yield to Jesus our allegiance and crown Him with our love?
There are 3 words that describe and analyse Pilate’s response and challenge ours:
1. Conviction – about Christ
The last thing we could say about Pilate is that he was ignorant of what was happening, at least on the human level, when Jesus was brought before him. He knew that this was a set up, that he was being manipulated into doing the dirty work of others – so that he and therefore the hated Roman Empire rather than the religious leaders would get the blame for Jesus’ death. This is brought out in Mark 15:10, “for he knew the chief priests had delivered him over because of envy”. He saw he was a pawn in their scheme.
He shows this in 18:38 “I find no fault in Him”. Jesus must’ve stood out to Pilate who had seen in captured Jews the fierce courage of fanaticism. But that is not what he saw in Jesus as he talked with Him. Instead he was confronted by an unusual gentleness and humility combined with majestic dignity. Pilate was confronted by His penetrating goodness.
Further in 19:8 we read his response to the news that Jesus was said to be the Son of God was that “he was the more afraid”. Now that means even before that he was already afraid, knowing that he was being manipulated – -for as a pawn in their scheme he must’ve been wondering what the consequences would be, that is consequences for him and his future.
But this further information caused Pilate to enquire more closely about Jesus’ identity. In John 19:12, having heard Jesus assert His authority, we read that “from then on Pilate sought to release Him”. “From then on” – in other words now there was real urgency about Jesus – it was no longer just a matter of innocence, nor of his own political survival. Pilate felt that there was something more compelling about this One. His early flippancy about the truth was now replaced by a seriousness caused by the manner and words of Jesus.
Make no mistake, there was nothing deserving about the death of Jesus. Pilate knew he was innocent, that no just charge could be found against Him. Likewise we know today that there are only 2 choices about Jesus – He is either who He said He was, the eternal Son of God who became a man, or a lying lunatic. What Pilate saw from Jesus and what he saw of those who accused Jesus convinced him that this One was innocent of anything and everything that was brought against Him. His conscience screamed it to him.
Now Pilate was not a judge as we would expect to sit in our courts. He was a man known for indifference to human life, callous in the use of his authority – experience would’ve taught such a man that even if this charge was not exactly true, there would be something – but even if there was not who cares it’s only a Jew, a people he held in contempt.
Yet he couldn’t think or respond like this as he was confronted by Jesus. This is particularly significant in the light of Jesus’ dual claim: (1) that He was the King of a kingdom that transcends this world, (2) as that King He exercises authority in and over this world – as seen in His response to Pilate’s claim of authority over His life. Pilate was without excuse – he knew through those direct claims of Jesus exactly who He was.
The truth about Jesus is even more clearly ‘on the record’ through the writings of the NT. There is no doubt what is the Bible’s teaching about Jesus – His divinity and humanity, His perfection, His being the only Saviour for this world through His death and resurrection, a salvation which He freely promises and offers to all who repent of their sin and believe in Him for it. Have you realised the claims of Jesus and their implications for your life and for the life of others?
2. Contortion – for Christ
It is one thing to realise the truth, the real question is what will you do with it?
The motto of the Guthrie family is ‘Sto Pro Veritate’ (Let us stand for the Truth). The hint as to what Pilate would do with it is given in his evasive retort as he stopped his interview with Jesus to go back to the Jewish accusers – “What is truth?” he said. This response, grounded in the cynicism of the age, was one of abdication.
This abdication is further seen in his sending Jesus to Herod (Luke 23). Hearing the word ‘Galilee’ Pilate latched onto the question of jurisdiction to avoid responsibility. Unfortunately Herod hand-passed him back as soon as his curiosity was satisfied, also giving his opinion of innocence but refusing himself to act.
Pilate then sought, obviously in the light of Jesus’ known public popularity, to avoid personal responsibility by letting the people make the decision – surely they would want such a One free. He appealed to them on the basis of:
a. natural justice – no less than 3 times he cried “I find no fault in Him”
b. fear and self-interest – he provided the crowd with the repulsive option of the known and dangerous murderer Barabbas. After all, who would want a psychotic murderer roaming the streets?
c. humanity – Pilate had Jesus severely beaten till He was a bruised, bleeding quivering flesh, and then mockingly presented Him in the crown of thorns and royal robe, and cried “Behold the Man!” as if to say, ‘Look at His misery! Is this not enough?’ It should’ve solicited sympathy – even guilt: ‘Did we cause this?’
d. loyalty – at the last minute he cried “Behold your King!” (19:15).
But it was all to no avail – each time the cry of the crowd was “Crucify!”
Finally forced to make a decision himself Pilate ignored duty and instead of standing for the truth, while expressing what has become the symbol of ultimate abdication in washing his hands declared ‘You do it’ (Matt 27:24).
Friends we cannot hide behind the opinion of others nor can we ultimately avoid making our own declaration about Jesus. You can blame what others say or do with Christ, even look at the imperfections of the church, but eventually God will force the issue on us. What we do with Jesus is the turning point of our lives with eternal consequences. The issue is not just about what we believe about Jesus, but what do we do with Him, as to whether we have submitted to Him as King. Jesus stands before us in the Gospel – what is our response to Him?
3. Corruption – before Christ
How do we explain the actions of Pilate? What caused him to fail at such a critical time – and what lessons does it give to us today?
1. He was driven by self-interest. Put simply, Pilate was afraid of losing his governorship. He was already on thin ice with the Emperor because he had already botched relationships with the Jews; and their threat in 19:12 struck home! Truth was one thing but when it came to Jesus’ life or his own, he came first as v.13 makes clear! He was prepared to do what was right – but only to a point; to the point where it didn’t hurt him. When His position was threatened, principle went out the window. Pity, justice and the voice of God were all in vain!
In this he is a type of those who are not necessarily against Jesus, but they don’t want to get involved. They have too much to lose. These people are interested in Jesus so long as they can live basically as they have been. The tragedy is that this is the image of faith in Jesus that many churches are portraying. So much so that life-changing commitment is not emphasised and not seen.
Even as Christians need to beware of this temptation. We are to daily follow Christ. If there is ever a point of challenge between Christ and something, Christ must win the day. Nothing is too great to give up for Him who gave up everything for us! It maybe that being identified as a Christian may result in you losing friends, or that promotion at work or a more interesting job. If for the sake of these things you keep silent about Jesus then you are no different than Pilate – you are ruled by expediency and self-interest. Surely the lesson to us who know Jesus is that we are to put Jesus above all things, particularly self-interest. Our perspective must be that we have no self-interest if it is not in Christ’s interest.
2. He was at heart a coward – 19:8, “afraid”. He knew Jesus was innocent yet he did not let Jesus go. He admitted he had power to crucify or to release, yet he was afraid to exercise that power. He had a legion of armed soldiers behind him, yet he was afraid to stand against the crowd. Yes he spoke for Christ, in that there is honour, but he failed to act for Christ as he was duty bound to do.
In the same way moral cowardice keeps many from coming to Christ. They fear the laugh, the criticism of others. Fear is a great obstacle to faith – to such I would urge that you look further ahead and see the result of crippling fear – it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the angry God.
We who know Christ also need to remember that we have not been given a spirit of timidity but of boldness. It is hard at times to stand out against the crowd, but when truth and righteousness demands it, we must stand. Whether inside or outside of the church we must stand for the truth we must stand, particularly against those who would minimise or wipe out the truth of who Jesus is and the influence of His Word. Yet what cowards we often prove to be, afraid of unbelievers, but even of believers being too afraid to speak the truth in love.
3. Yet he displayed a hypocritical presumption. Jesus is innocent and Pilate knows it, yet he gives the people permission to be guilty. They could not murder the Lord without his permit, yet he gives that permit to them while saying ‘I am innocent’! He is the Son of God and Pilate feels the weight of it, yet instead of calling them to obedience and worship, he abuses Christ and gives them permission to kill Him, in effect encouraging them in their wickedness, calling it to further action.
What is this but a fearless presumption – afraid of men, he was not afraid of God! He was afraid of what men might do to him if he did what was right, but he was not afraid to incur guilt of innocent blood. He was afraid of men but not of the Eternal God who can destroy both body and soul in hell!
Do your hear it? ‘I do not despise Christ, or speak a word against him. I am perfectly innocent of any ill-will toward Him. Of course if others oppose Him – well it is a free country, let them do as they like, it’s not my fault’. But such is the claim of Jesus that there is no scope for neutrality. You are either for Him or against Him. To be neutral is to refuse to Him the glory that is His due and your duty to give. By your refusal to come to an opinion for Jesus, by you inaction you stand with His enemies. By your allowing others to attack Christ you become one with them in it.
It does a Christian no credit to be silent when his Master or His gospel is under attack, or to be inactive when we see the church in trouble through lack of workers and givers. But worse it is a presumption against God’s justice, love and grace. Let us not treat God lightly, but acknowledge the seriousness of all sin, and the importance of keeping our eye to the fear of the Lord rather than to the fear of men. Let us beware of justifying our inaction with a self-righteous hypocrisy.
Standing before Christ reveals the true state of our heart – Pilate was shown his corruption but failed to flee to Christ for forgiveness. But what about us? As Christ reveals our corruption when He draws near to us, He also deals with it in those who turn to Him in faith.
Christ alone is the answer to our corruption – it is not only revealed by Christ, it is dealt with by Christ in all who, unlike Pilate, turn to Him in faith.