Slices
Prepare
‘When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come…?’’’ (Matthew 11:2,3). Why do you believe Jesus is the One?
Bible passage
Jesus before Pilate
15 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.
2 ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ asked Pilate.
‘You have said so,’ Jesus replied.
3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, ‘Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.’
5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.
6 Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.
9 ‘Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?’ asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to get Pilate to release Barabbas instead.
12 ‘What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?’ Pilate asked them.
13 ‘Crucify him!’ they shouted.
14 ‘Why? What crime has he committed?’ asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, ‘Crucify him!’
15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
Explore
Meanwhile, Jesus is led to Pilate who asks a question, knowing full well the answer (it’s Herod!). But Jesus replies, ‘You have said so’ (v 2). It’s as though that title of sovereignty, even though unspoken, goes without question. Has Pilate answered his own question? Further enquiry elicits no reply from Jesus and brings mystery: why doesn’t he defend himself and what manner of man is this (vs 4,5)? Pilate’s retort to the people: ‘What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?’ is the literary equivalent of washing his hands of the matter. After all, what do the riff-raff of this people know about it (v 12; Matthew 27:24)?
How do we see this King? Do we claim him as King, accepting that what he says goes? We learn about Jesus from his own words, not from making up our own ‘Jesus’ in our heads. The creature is not greater than its Creator; we must allow him to reign in us if we are to rise with him in glory.
Respond
‘… the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”’ (Matthew 18:1). ‘Lord, you know all and are King of all, teach us your ways. Amen.’
Deeper Bible study
Give thanks that the justice of God is always right and reliable.
The Romans prided themselves as the bringers of peace and justice to the world.1 The scene of Jesus before Pilate does not enhance Roman judicial reputation. Jesus is to be condemned to death by popular voice rather than legal niceties. As we move from Sanhedrin to Roman Prefect, the charge against Jesus changes from religious to political, but still the underlying assertion is that Jesus claims to be the one anointed as the king of Israel. The theme of kingship will dominate the rest of the narrative. Jesus’ response to Pilate’s questioning implies that the title King of the Jews has a different meaning for him than for Pilate.2
After that, Jesus is silent. Throughout this narrative we see allusions to Isaiah 53:7 and Pilate’s wondering may reflect Isaiah 52:15. Scripture is being fulfilled. Jesus is offered as an alternative for release to a convicted rebel. Two types of leadership are contrasted: the silent innocence of Jesus and the violent rebellion of Barabbas. The crowd makes its choice. The way of peace is rejected3 and this is endorsed by the Roman governor. The path to the destruction of the Temple in AD 70 has been set. The true king is rejected. Rome’s domination has been assured. Bad choices always have consequences.
Thus the path is set to the cross. No Jewish stoning of the blasphemer, but the Roman crucifixion of a provincial rebel. Jesus humbled himself to become a servant and received the form of punishment for a servant.4 The degradation of the cross becomes both his throne and the countercultural message of salvation that will eventually bring even the Roman Emperor to confess him as Lord. Pilate follows the crowd. The people choose Barabbas. But we proclaim Christ crucified for us and for our salvation.
Thank Jesus for his love that suffered for us.
1 See, for example, Virgil’s Aeneid, Book 6 2 See John 18:33–37 3 Cf Luke 19:42–44 4 Phil 2:7,8
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Joshua 16–19; Romans 14
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray for churches all over the country who, in these challenging times of the COVID-19 outbreak, are finding new ways through technology to connect with children and young people in their communities. Pray that the relationships will grow and remain long after the pandemic.
