Pilate still can’t choose which way to go.
And the silence isn’t helping.
So he breaks the silence with intimidation: “So Pilate *said to Him, ‘You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?’”
Can you imagine how the story would have been different if, in that silence, Pilate had chosen to believe? What if he had fallen on his knees before Jesus, the Son of God, and confessed his belief? What if Jesus had taken Pilates’ face in his bloody hands and lifted Pilates’ head to look into his eyes full of a forgiveness only God can grant?
What if Pilate had refused to sentence Jesus to death? Probably, someone else in greater authority would have done it. Jesus had to die on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. The price still had to be paid.
But Jesus’ blood would not have been at Pilate’s hand. And Pilate would have been a changed man.
But that didn’t happen.
Instead, Pilate bristled under the silence, digging into his own person, his own power, not letting the power of God flow over him. If Jesus was just a man, he certainly should be crumbling over Pilate’s authority over his life.
What Pilate didn’t recognize was that Jesus was not just a man but the Son of God. He would not crumble before the power of mere man, just like the Romans couldn’t take his spirit on the cross.
Jesus was giving his life willingly because of his love for mankind, for you and me.
I picture Jesus bristling almost as much as Pilate, as he answered Pilate, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”
Jesus knew who he was. Yes, he was human, but he was also “one with the Father” (John 10:30). He had all authority over heaven and earth, rulers and principalities. By and through him, the earth held together.
Pilate was a mere speck in front of Jesus.
And I think Pilate knew it.
John 19:12 says, “ As a result of this, Pilate made efforts to release Him.” But his efforts were to no avail.
God’s plan of salvation, the ultimate sacrifice, was going to be completed.
Comment: Was Jesus under the control of the Jews or Romans? Why/why not?
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