A Bad Bad Man

“So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” (John 19:5 ESV)

Not many Roman governors had the notoriety of Pilate. Billions of people know the name of Pilate because he was involved with the most important person who ever walked this earth, Jesus Christ.

Pilate’s history is fascinating because he unknowingly spoke the truth of about Jesus. First, he spoke the truth by saying, “Behold the man.” Jesus was fully man and fully God. Pilate spoke the truth. At first sight, Pilate was insignificant theologically. But we must remember Christ’s words, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.” (John 19:11 ESV). Pilate spoke the words of God in that he proclaimed Jesus as man, alluding to the incarnation and virgin birth. A man brought sin into the world, and only a man could save the world from sin. A God/Man, one who could bear the punishment for human sin and survive the wrath of God.

Pilate was a pawn of God; He did not let the innocence of Jesus stop him from condemning the Christ. I think there were three reasons for this; first, it was the plan of God; second, he wanted to prevent a revolt; and third, he elicited a declaration of loyalty from the Jews that Caesar was their King. Yet again, Pilate proclaimed the truth about Christ when his sign nailed to the cross proclaimed Christ King of the Jews in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Pilate was proclaiming the kingship of Jesus to the known world.

A nasty and brutal guy; why talk about him? As bad as he was, God used him for God’s purpose. It does not matter what you have done in your life, or how evil you have been or are; Christ loves you. Through faith in Him, lies is your salvation. Praise and glory to the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Peace and Grace.