PILATE
By Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer jerry@schmoyer.net
http://india.christiantrainingonline.org/
THOSE JEWS HAD TO BE THE WORSE PEOPLE ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH TO RULE!
arrogant – self-righteous
stubborn – manipulative
take but not give – sneaky & deceitful
not face you man to man like us Romans
We hated them as much as they hated us!- MORE!
We took away all their freedom & privileges:
-heavily taxed
-couldn’t execute without permission (stone)
that’s why they got me involved in their miserable murder plot!
NOT just permission
BUT force me to do dirty work!
Oh how I hate them!
Worst thing I ever did
Biggest mistake I ever made
Changed my whole life: on earth & for eternity
I. TRIAL BY PILATE # 1 (Trial 4)
MY NAME IS PILATE
Illegitimate son of German king
Roman education, good ability, well liked
Murdered man at party, sent to BLACK SEA
Put down revolt – excellent military job
Left wife to marry CLAUDIA (dau of Augustus & prost.)
Capture province “Ponchus” – title “PONTIUS”
Military hero – made gov of JUDEA
top Roman official in whole area
Better leading soldiers in battle, courageous in battle
Weak moral courage, prideful,
THE DAY I WAS TALKING @ STARTED LIKE ANY OTHER but it didn’t stay that way long -never forget it – Friday, April 3, 33 AD
ANTONIO
6 AM night report from duty officer – arrest in Gethse
Shortly after 6 my AID informed me rel rulers see me
-this their most special, holy day of the year!
-why make selves unclean by coming in?
Temple police, mob, top leaders there!
Man bloody, bleeding, beat up!
Tied hand & foot
-couldn’t have walked away if free!
Police looked like afraid of armed attack to free
Wouldn’t come in to me – self-righteous
kill this man, but not in Gentile home!
Illegal: court proceedings on feast day
Pilate out to them, but gave in
Set mood/pattern for whole day, downhill from there
lost 1st power-struggle without aware of import.
PAST RUN-INS WITH JEWS didn’t turn out well..
1. INTO JERUSALEM WITH STANDARDS & FLAGS
image of emperor (a god)
Jews protested, crowd hounded me 5 days
surrounded in amphitheater, disperse or die!
knelt down, bared necks – couldn’t kill so many
had to give in, remove standards!
2. ROBBED TEMPLE TREASURY
needed $ for water system
riots in streets, soldiers killed many
JEWS tattled to Rome constantly @ all this
told me “Keep things quiet or you’re out!”
they had me where they wanted me
Ready to use that leverage against me today
Obvious don’t want justice — just Roman approval
STILL I had final say, didn’t have to give in
-oh how I wish I wouldn’t have!!!
I really hate those Jews!
BACK TO THIS MAN they brought
Audacity of them – had no charges to give!
Wanted me to just TRUST them, blank check
Acted injured, hurt that I wanted reason!
OK – I gave Roman approval for Jewish trial!
Turns out already had their trial!!!
What want is approval for execution!
CHARGES
Anti-government
Anti-taxes
Anti-Caesar – claiming to be a king
I didn’t believe them – He seemed incapable of harm
Too serious charges to ignore if some truth (esp #3)
VERDICT
SHOULD HAVE said NO and ended it right there
What was the stoning of one more Jew?
Their arrogance and contempt of me hit my PRIDE
Not about to cooperate with them! – Still had to settle matter fairly
So I asked him “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Yes” He answered
Now I had to investigate further
but not before this mob!
Brought this man inside
PRIVATE DISCUSSION
“Are you guilty of what they say?”
Seemed sensible man
More honest, direct than rel rul
If revolt brewing I’d have known it
This bloody, swollen man a king?
“Depends on what kind of a king referring to.”
“Do you take me for an idiot, thinking someone like
you could be a threat to Rome! If you were
a revolutionary I’d have known about it!”
“I am a king, but no threat to Roman rule. If that is what I’d had in mind I’d be leading soldiers against you, not standing here like this. I’m a king of an entirely different realm!”
CONFUSED me, getting impatient, frustrated
can’t just release someone claiming to a KING
but WAS He claiming to be a king?
“How can a king not be a king? Its either yes or no!”
“If it has to be yes or no, then the answer is YES – but I’m no threat to you or Rome!
In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
“What is truth!” frustration coming out, irritated
can’t get truth from Jews or this man!
Much rather lead troops in battle than do this!
(shrug shoulders, dismiss whole subject, walk away
Just want to get out of this mess politically clean
-no nasty reports to Rome about me!
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
Back out to rel rulers, with findings
“There’s no accusation against this man, no indictment, and I can’t find anything wrong He’s done.”
SHOULD HAVE released Him and ended it all
Used soldiers to scatter crowd
Do what was right, even if not political expedient
INSTEAD listened to their backtalk & complain
FEAR of their manipulative power
Look for COMPROMISE way out
Heard one yelling @ his act. in Galilee
Send him to HEROD!!!
Knew not right, but try anything!
Illegal: I had authority, not Herod
If innocent must release
Herod – no court in Jeru.
FIRST COMPROMISE sets pattern
1 ‘little’ lie, sin, etc
1 little sin grows: gambling, drinking, etc
getting someone to spy – not ask him to sell secret documents right off, just get some innocent info like list of names, which all know anyway, then ask for more and more — get hooked
II. TRIAL BY HEROD ANTIPAS (Trial 5)
Hasmonian palace
Son of HEROD the GREAT (kill Beth babies)
HEROD ANTIPAS
Ruled 30 years, since then
Good administrator, people prospered
Cleaver man (“fox”)
Power-mad, fun loving playboy (never grew up)
Took brother’s wife, HERODIAS
Beheaded John the BAPTIST @ it
Not get along with me – opposites in temperament
Resentful losing half of kgdm to outsider (under me!)
Sending this man to him mended things
-took it as my recognition of his position!
Herod CURIOUS, heard @ Jesus in Galilee
Afraid he was John Bapt come back to torment!
“Are you John come back to accuse me?”
“How do you do those miracles?”
“What about person back to life?”
“What are you in trouble for?”
Bored, wanted some excitement (fun, not a trial)
Prisoner didn’t say a word
Herod insulted, mood spoiled
obviously not John Baptizer!
Find own form of entertainment with Him
EMOTIONAL ABUSE: ridicule, mockery
PHYSICAL ABUSE: blindfold, hit (who did it?)
Man obviously not guilty of any crime deserving of death!
Should have released Him, but didn’t
Sent Him back to me!
Disappointed when came back!
Wanted out of it all
Me: no religious person, but superstitious!
not going to mess with any ‘god!’
Understand rel rul motive: jealousy!
“Don’t bring Him back here! I told you I found Him innocent and so did Herod. Just let the man go!”
III. TRIAL BY PILATE # 2 (Trial 6)
I’m frustrated & impatient, not going as I like
Same true of rel rulers!
Want Him dead before town awakes hears
Already people gathering not under their pay
What if Galileans revolt, take by force!
PRISONER RELEASE
There’s my way out! let the people decide (not rel rul)
Not overly pleased with solution, but why not?
Always released prisoner on top feast day – today!
Usually later in day, but why not now?
BARABBAS
Son of well known rabbi
Insurrectionist, murdered Roman soldiers
Terrorist, Mafia-type gangster
Public enemy # 1
To be executed today
Surely people pick Jesus over this scum-bag!
PLAN to release Barabbas insteadof Jesus
STARTED OUT WELL, I read the newly-gathered crowd right, supportive of releasing Jesus
Then another of those little things that changes history happened
LETTER FROM WIFE
CLAUDIA PROCULA, my wife, sent me a note
Release Him, He’s innocent and godly
Convert to Judaism, understood Messiah proof
Woman of faith and belief in God
Tormented in dream because of prisoner
Found out His fate in my hands
Sent note, just arrived
Dream superstitious omen, warning to release
Bad timing!
Rel rulers used break to influence crowd!
-releasing Jesus would PLEASE Pilate!
-threatened EXCOMMUNICATION
-$$$ to any holdouts
Crowds are so fickle, easily led!
BARABBAS RELEASED
My thoughts PULLED BACK TO PRESENT by crown calling for “BARABBAS” !!!
no more time @ silly woman’s dream!
Tried to reason with them, talk them out of it – nothing!
COLD SWEAT breaks out on body!
CONDEMN innocent one
RELEASE knowingly guilty man
(Sometimes wonder what ever happened to Bar
(How did this affect him, if at all?
(How feel @ Jesus dying on cross in his place!
CRUCIFY, NOT STONE
Then I made another mistake:
“OK, you’ve got Barabbas, now what do you want me to do with Jesus?”
Yelled in frustration, not serious question
“CRUCIFY HIM! “CRUCIFY HIM! “CRUCIFY HIM!”
Like vultures, sharks smelling blood!
out of control!
STONING: quick, merciful death – by Jews
CRUCIFIXION: worst death imaginable
-administered by ME!
(rel rul pushing ME do dirty work)
“Why crucify? What’s He guilty of?”
“CRUCIFY HIM! “CRUCIFY HIM!”
shout so loud no one hear me, or reason!
Later I learned prisoner’s mother and aunt there
wonder how all this affecting them?
At the time only thinking @ self! get out of this!
PRIDE: not want to let rel rulers get own way
FEAR: complain to Rome, me out of job!
JESUS FLOGGED
If crowd not listen to reason, appeal to sympathy
Beating better than death, so commanded it
6 large soldiers took turns (hatred for Jews like Barabbas who murdered their friends)
Whip: leather, bone, steel
Jesus suspended from ceiling by hands
naked, 2 at a time whip, take turns
skin into long ribbon-like segments
(already whipped twice, not as bad)
back only part of body can live thru this
too skillful to kill, just remove skin & muscle
raw tendons & nerve endings exposed to air
shock from loss of body fluids
“Half death” = more dead then alive when done
SALT rubbed into back when done to revive!
ROBE plastered against back to stop bleeding
Took Jesus to another room to revive, bleeding stop
TEAR ROBE OFF (bleeding start), put purple on
(King’s color, done in mockery)
old, faded, rough burlap-type material
CROWN needed on King!
make one of weeds nearby (3” thorns)
beat down on head with club
head bleeds much and long
SCEPTER, old staff = mockery of rulership
soldiers faked bowing in worship, big joke!
“No one will worship you? We’ll make you
feel better and worship you!”
PHYSICAL ABUSE: spit, hit, beaten
contest: who hit hardest, most often!
pull out handfuls of hair & beard (who get most)
(like some evil, Satanic force filling, pushing,
motivating to supernatural evil & strength)
PRESENTATION TO THE CROWD
Soldiers motive: take hate out on a Jew
My motive: evoke sympathy from crowd
(hope His mother gone by now!)
Jesus barely stand up
advanced shock
cold, pale sweaty skin
blood pressure falling
pulse pounding
respiration shallow, barely perceptible
weak
PEOPLE touched, moved, ready to stop, too
REL RULERS blood-thirsty, cried for blood
others picked it up, all shouting
-Rel Rul push to have ME do dirty work
JESUS DURING THIS
JESUS standing there taking it all in, alert
strange: no anger, cursing, hate from prisoner
calm, dignified, in control of it all
perhaps this Man really divine in some way!
Rel Rulers said he was king/god
Jesus Himself said he was king/god
FEAR of having flogged a god!
greater than fear of Jews/loss of job
now we’re talking ETERNAL conseq!
TOOK JESUS BACK INSIDE
“Are you really a god? I mean, I know you’re from Nazareth, but are you from where gods come from, too?”
JESUS SILENT
Knew my mind made up
-put my NECK before my SOUL
Not willing to do what is right, just want fear removed
Like He was DETERMINED to die
not try to convince me He’s a god so I’ll release
Silence bothered me more than any words would have!
Tried to INTIMIDATE Him to get me off the hook
Cool, controlled, said:
“God is in control of this all.”
“Any power you have is from God or you wouldn’t have it”
“I won’t absolve you of your guilt in this. Others are more accountable and guilty than you, though.”
ATTEMPT TO RELEASE JESUS
Back outside, told Jews I wanted to release Him
“He’s Your KING!!!”
not sure just what kind of king, but believed it!
(SIGN ON CROSS SAYING SO)
they refused to allow it
threatened to go to Rome, say I was disloyal
THEY were disloyal to Rome, not me!
Hypocrites, manipulating me
Oh how I hate them!
WASHED MY HANDS to show I was absolving myself from guilt
(water didn’t do it – kept washing hands rest of life)
hands not dirty, conscience unclean!
SAVED MY NECK (Temporarily).
Jews didn’t report me to Rome then
3 years later did – killing rebellious Samaritans
removed, forced to take own life preserve honor
LOST MY SOUL
guilty, hardened, bitter, fearful rest of life
killed James, leader, disc Jesus (almost Peter)
separated from God for all eternity
my questions then answered
that man Jesus WAS a King!
everyone on the other side of grave knew
those with Him for eternity: accept Him
those separated from Him for eternity: reject Him
I had clear chance to recognize this, didn’t
KEPT ME FROM HIM
PRIDE – not want to submit, give in, want to be first
FEAR – what others think, say;
compromise
seems answer, but only temporary lp
short-term help, long-term worse off!
Next time must compromise more & more
put my neck BEFORE my SOUL
learn from me – don’t do that!
He IS KING, I know that now!
He didn’t act like one then, another purpose
(salvation)
He will act like it next time returns to earth!
And He will come back – as king!!!
Revelation 19 tells about it
III. THE KING RETURNS
When I won military victory would return to Rome and parade thru town on main street, me on white horse in front –
KING JESUS do same thing!
LOCATION: Mt of Olives (not Rome)
BATTLE: Armageddon starting, Jesus defeats all
Rev 19:11I saw heaven standing open –dramatic, big entry
and there before me was a white horse,
white: purity, holiness
horse: war, power, glory
#1 rode DONKEY into Jerusalem
#2 ride WAR HORSE into Jerusalem
whose rider is called Faithful and True.
Faithful: keep all promises @ coming king
True: remove all untruth, deception
With justice he judges and makes war.
Justice: finally all fair, right; sin removed
Judges, makes war: #1 lamb to die
#2 lion to kill, reign
12 His eyes are like blazing fire,
Eyes: see everything, motives of heart
Fire: burning vengeance, righteous indig/anger
and on his head are many crowns.
Many crowns: sovereign ruler of all nations
#1 crown of thorns
#2 crown of glory, honor, authority
He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.
Name: character, nature – unknown before now
13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood,
#1 covered with own blood, for believers
#2 enemies blood shed in judgment, unbel
and his name is the Word of God.
#1 “Jesus” – Savior, deliverer, come to save
#2 “Word” from His mouth destroys, judgment
Like in Gethsemane, all pinned to ground
Not SILENT to enemies, destroy w/ Word
14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.
Believers and angels! – holy in Him!
15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them withan iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
No grace, mercy #1 grace, mercy, love
#2 judgment, terror
16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
#1 rejected as King, except for a few
#2 ALL see, recognize
CONCLUSION
How do you see Him? (point to some & ask)
I don’t just mean on Sunday morning
Saw enough hypocrisy from Jew rel rulers!
I’m talking about in day-to-day life
No one watching
Hidden thoughts of own mind/heart
THAT’S where throne is now
#1 = provide salvation, mock King
#2 = King to rule over all forever
King of your heart now???