Jesus stood before Pilate and the Jews hoped He would be condemned to death; they hoped Pilate would bring an end to the controversy of faith. But Pilate did not follow their plan. As an outsider he ruled on what he saw to be true and failed to conscript a scenario to appease their sinful appetites. Three powerful statements Pilate made as he wrestled with Jesus’ fate; three powerful statements which are foundational for the believer. First in response to the Jews accusations, Pilate said, “I find no guilt in him” (John 19.4, 6). Though Pilate did not understand the depth of these words, they are profoundly true. Christ is sinless; He is absolutely holy. It is because of His complete sinlessness He was able to offer Himself upon the Cross to pay the penalty for our sin. Christ, the perfect, spotless Lamb of God offered as a sacrifice, shed His blood, for our atonement, for the absolute forgiveness of our sin; offered Himself in order to present the believer absolutely holy before the Eternal Father; offered Himself to redeem us from the miserable bondage and curse of sin.
Pilate then said to the Jews, “Behold the man” (19.5)! This man, Christ Jesus, God Incarnate, gave Himself. As a man He knows us completely; He knows our sorrows, pains, struggles, temptations, and frailty. He knows our every need, and alone is able to provide our greatest need – our salvation, through the willing sacrifice of Himself. Pilate’s third comment came when he acquiesced to the Jewish mob and presented Jesus to them. “He said to the Jews, ‘Behold your King’” (19.14)! His words spoke great truth. Jesus is the King of all kings, and the Lord of all lords (1 Timothy 6.15; Revelation 19.16); He is Sovereign over all creation now, and someday He will be seen as Sovereign over all when He returns to rule the earth in righteousness and power and “every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2.9-10)
To view the song “The Power of the Cross,” by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty, click here: https://www.stuarttownend.co.uk/song/the-power-of-the-cross/
Resting in Christ’s sacrifice – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry Burlingame
My Morning Desk 