Pilate’s Pitfalls

1. He refused to listen to God.

A.   John 18:38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the 
Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.

B.   John 19:7-9 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.” 8 Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, 9 and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.

C.   Matthew 27:19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”

2. He refused to take a stand.

A.   John 18:39-40 “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

B.   John 19:4 Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.”

C.   John 19:6 Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.”

D.   John19:10 Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?”

E.    John 19:12 From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”

F.    Matthew 27:23-24 23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!” 24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”

Pilate could not find fault with Jesus yet he had Him scourge. He could find no fault with Jesus yet he had Him crucified. Pilot would not listen to God, he did not listen to his heart and he did not listen to his wife and what she warned him about in her dream. There were several reasons for Pilots refusal, but ultimately he would not listen to God. What are you not listening to God about in your life? What are you being warned about through the Godly counsel in your life? Why want you listen to God? Ultimately Pilot knew what was right but He refused to take a stand. What are you not standing up for in your life? What keeps your from doing the right thing? Like Pilot are you trying to negotiate with God? What are you trying to push responsibility to others? What false power are you claiming in your life? You can do nothing without Jesus. You may fool yourselves for a little while but there is a train wreck coming, What comforts are you refusing to surrender to Jesus. What are you choosing over God? Are you trying to claim innocence when you know you are guilty? Surrender today live today, love today, BE A SOLDIER IN HIS KINGDOM TODAY!

RAK 

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