Pilate

Do you yet understand the struggle that has been going on behind the scenes through the centuries? Whether it is with nations or individuals, it has been a question of authority. Who would have the crown?

We play a game in Year 8 History as we learn about the Medieval Period. All classes divide into kingdoms and earn money to build authentic castles and weapons. (It’s an assessment) At the end of the term we have a castle war where each group fires their weapons at the other castles set up in a line in an attempt to burn them down. The last castle standing wins. No one wins – they all burn! The quest for power is futile.

Men have tried to upset God’s plan. Men have not been willing that Christ should wear the crown. You remember that dark Friday when Pilate said to the milling mob before him, “Shall I crucify your king?” and back came the answer, from men blinded by hate, “We have no king but Caesar!” (The trial was illegal, the crowd stacked. It was very early and most of Jerusalem would have been unaware of what was going on. Those who would have supported Jesus were just rousing and knew nothing of the nights proceedings)

But what a choice! What a miserable choice! No king but Caesar!

Some of them went home that day to find a loved one ill. But they had crucified the Divine physician, and Caesar could not cool the fevered brow. Nor were the rulers satisfied with that day’s work. They had chosen Caesar and crucified their king. But Caesar could not take away their fear of Divine revenge. They feared the dead Christ far more than they had ever feared the living Christ.

Pilate had quailed before the taunting voices that had cried, “If you let this man go, you are not Caesar’s friend.” Weak and spineless, he had sent the Son of the heavens to be crucified – despite his wife’s warning.

Caesar’s friend? Perhaps. But Caesar could not heal the haunting remorse that was to follow Pilate to his dying day.

It was a lonely thief, his crime ending on the cross, who saw matters in their true light on that dark afternoon amidst the mid-day midnight of Golgotha. He knew that Caesar could not help him. In his hour of extremity, he turned to One dying on a cross beside him. Looking down through the ages he recognised that when Caesar’s throne was gone, and that of every ambitious monarch, there would be one throne left – the throne of the living Christ, and he said “Lord, remember me when you come into Your kingdom.” This theif never had a Bible study, never went to church, or kept a sabbath, he never committed one act of service or lived a sanctified life for even 5 minutes. He never paid tithe or gave an offering, but Jesus said he would be in paradise! But in the moment of his desparation, as a last resort even, He acknowledged Jesus as his king.

Need I draw the parallel? Need I press the matter home? Who occupies the throne in your life? Who is the supreme authority? What will you do with your king? Today, most people know the name Pontius Pilate even if they don’t know anything else about the man. His entire existence is tied and immortalized to his role in the death of Jesus Christ.

I imagine Pilate on Sunday when the reports of the risen Christ began to circulate. A cold fear overcoming him. Even more so when he witnessed the spread of Christianity first in Jerusalem and then over the Empire. But what is your answer to Plate’s question? Will you answer, “I have no king but science. I have no king but materialism. I have no king but technology, or video games, or social media.” Or will you fall at the feet of the Saviour and say again with Thomas, no longer any doubt in his mind, “My Lord and my God!”

I have often wondered, why is it that people find it so difficult to accept the Bible as the inspired word of God? Is it really because they find it difficult to accept its history, or its scientific statements? Do they believe it contains contradictions? Is it really because they don’t want to believe that in the beginning God made the worlds? Or is it a matter of authority? Is it because they realise that to accept the Bible as inspired means also to accept its Author as saviour – and as King?

And nothing is more difficult for a proud heart – or more healing!