Vantage Point, Part 4 - "Pilate"

Jimmy Knott
March 28, 2009

John 18:28-40, John 19:1-16

The Cross is a window in time.

Jesus went through 6 trials before the cross. There were laws broken all over in the process.
- Not suppose to have a trial during the festival
- Not suppose to be at night
- Not suppose to condemn someone to death for 24 hours
- Jesus was accused of blasphemy
- Jesus was accused of misleading nation and preventing money from going to Caesar

Pilate was a leader for 10 years until he was called back to Rome. He was known for being cold-blooded, brutal, cruel, savage, and cowardly. He was not sympathetic to Jewish practices and robbed the temple treasury to pay for the aqueduct. The Jewish people reported his actions to Rome.

Fear is a powerful emotion. Ann Landers said the most common letters dealt with fear. There are more mentions in the bible about fear than about heaven and hell.

What did Pilate fear?

1. He feared the lesser things
John 19:12, Luke 23, Mark 15:15 - He was more concerned about now and present time rather than looking ahead.

2. He feared the Truth
75% of adults and young teens reject absolute truth. 80% say no one knows what the truth is.

3. He feared his conscience
Matthew 27:18 - He knew the motives of Jewish people. His wife warned him from her dream which would be his nightmare. He found no guilt in Jesus. 5 times he knew what was right but he wouldn't listen to his conscience.

4. He feared Authority
Who really has authority? Government? No. Tiberius? Jewish People? No. God? Yes. Three times Pilate calls Jesus King but refused to surrender.

5. He Feared Jesus
He was amazed at Him. Pilate's wife said have nothing to do with Him. He didn't want to deal with it. Pilate tried for a mistrial, tries a prisoner exchange, tried to beat him to appease the people, decided not to make a decision which was a decision.

Do you live a surrendered life? Before we condemn Pilate, lets make sure we are not fearing the same things. Don't fear Jesus.

DEFINITION: attitude of feeling we have about something that hasn't happened but we know it will.

Is this your definition of Fear or Faith? The difference is the object. Faith relieves fear.