Have you ever thought of what it would be like if you had a private conversation with Jesus?

What questions would you ask?

Recently, I realized that Pilate, the Roman leader who eventually authorized the crucifixion of Jesus, had a private audience with Jesus. I had assumed that the religious leaders were around, talking into his ear, seeding him with accusations. But John 18:28 says about the Jews who had Jesus arrested, “They themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.”

How hypocritical!

First, they don’t want to get their hands dirty by killing Jesus themselves. Then secondly, they don’t want to enter the palace of the Roman authority lest they become unclean. They are trying to manipulate the Romans to do their will without getting close enough to get their dirt on them.

Even the reason for turning Jesus over is weak. When Pilate asked them for their accusation, they simply said, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” 

Would this hold up in any court?  They said he was an “evildoer” with nothing more specific – no charges according to Roman law, no witnesses of his “evil.” It’s as if they are saying, “We brought him to you. Now you do our bidding or else!”

So Pilate made the obvious judgment, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.”

But the Jews came back, showing that it was obvious in their minds that this case was signed and sealed and only needed Pilate’s stamp of approval to put Jesus to death because “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.”

That certainly upped the stakes and piqued Pilate’s curiosity. Who was this man who had infuriated the Jews to the point of death?

John 18:33 says, “Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus.” He wanted to talk to Jesus himself.

There may have been Roman guards around them, but we don’t know. Jesus and Pilate are the only two who are mentioned in the account. 

Which begs the question, “What conversation would you have with Jesus if it was just the two of you?”

Comment: What would you want to ask Jesus if it was just the two of you?