Last week we looked briefly at Pilate and what he did with regards to the trial of Jesus. We saw him try to evade responsibility, and noticed how he tried to wash his hands of the whole sordid affair. What are some lessons we can learn from Pilate?

First, Pilate tried to avoid responsibility in judging Jesus—“Take him and judge him according to your law.” He even tried to send Jesus to Herod. How often do we find so many trying to avoid responsibility today? When we are wrong, or when we don’t wish to do something we know we must do, we try to evade responsibility. It has become so commonplace in the world, and what is sadder, it has become commonplace even in the church. We expect the preacher, elders, deacons or others to do our job and bear our responsibilities before God. The sad tragedy is that it will not work. God will hold us responsible for the talents and the opportunities he sends our way. He also will hold us accountable for sin, and that is why he clearly emphasizes that we must confess our sin if we wish to be forgiven (1 John 1:9; James 5:16).

Second, Pilate asked the question—”What is truth!” That question is being echoed all over the world today, and especially in America. “Whose truth” or “what is true for you is not necessarily true for me,” have become the cry of a lost generation. We have lost our moorings based upon Biblical truth, and we are adrift on the sea of political correctness and relativity. The only real sin today has become the sin of intolerance. One man wrote in examining this statement by Pilate, “When one loses faith in the fact that there is absolute truth, then there is only one standard by which a person’s actions can be measured: political correctness.”

Third, Pilate’s conscience was telling him that Jesus was innocent. As we consider how many people Pilate had judged, he would have likely seen it all. Some would have begged for mercy and their lives; others would have denied the charges; still others would have tried to lie or bribe their way out of punishment. Yet look at Jesus. He never tries to defend himself – he is silent through most of the trial. In fact, Jesus was the only one in all of these trials that handled himself as he should have. How often today do we sin against our consciences, much to our chagrin? (Romans 14:23).

Fourth, Pilate sought a compromise to relieve himself of responsibility – Barabbas or Jesus. He, rather than bear his responsibility, tried to put the onus back on the crowd. It would be a token victory for both sides – If Barabbas chosen, then justice would have been done, and he would have been able to release Jesus. Compromise to please the crowd has become the thing to do in America, and it is becoming increasingly prevalent in the Lord’s church, as we cater to please our visitors and weak, worldly members. The reason why we are discussing instrumental music again in the Lord’s church is because some are bound to have it, no matter what the cost. Pilate gave in to the crowd, instead of doing what was right. Many times it is not the majority; it is usually the loudest, bitterest complainers that seek their way above the Lord’s.

Fifth, Pilate learned that Jesus was Lord in all situations. As we examine this “trial” closely we have to ask the question, “Who is really on trial in this situation – Jesus or Pilate?” Pilate claimed to have authority over Jesus’ life; Jesus reminds him that he had the authority because it was delegated to him by God. Pilate was carrying out the will of God – though he was unaware of it. Jesus was in total control, and he is still in control of all things today. He has not abdicated the throne, or given his authority to anyone.

Is Jesus Lord in your life? Do you honor the truths of Scripture by your obedience to his divine will?