The Lord Jesus was taken by the chief men of Jerusalem to the hall of Pilate, the Roman governor, for trial. He was bound as though a man to be feared, and the priests told Pilate that He claimed to be the King of their nation. This would not be allowed by the Romans, and they expected Pilate would soon punish Him.
Pilate asked Jesus, “Art Thou the king of the Jews?”
The Lord answered, “Thou sayest it.” That meant, “It is true.”
Jesus had ridden into the city a short time before this to let the people accept Him as King, but these men had refused. They now said many false things of Him. Pilate wondered that Jesus did not try to answer or defend Himself, for he knew that the charges were untrue and wanted to free Jesus.
The People’s Choice
The Romans were severe rulers, yet it was a custom at each Passover time for them to allow the Jews to choose one prisoner to go free, as a very special privilege. Pilate asked if he should release Jesus.
There was then a man in prison named Barabbas who had rebelled against the government and also had killed someone. He was the man the Jewish leaders wanted to be free and urged the people to choose him.
Pilate let them have their way to quiet and please them, although he knew Jesus was just and innocent. Next he scourged Jesus, which means to whip with leather cords, and gave the soldiers authority to mock and crucify Him. They treated Him with great cruelty and then led Him away.
Man’s Heart and God’s Heart
To choose a man who had done much evil instead of the Holy One who had done wonderful good and fully spoken God’s words shows their hearts were full of hatred. It makes us know God’s love for sinners and the Lord Jesus’ love to bear such treatment.
The trial of Jesus was before the highest men of the Jewish nation and the judge Pilate, representing the Romans who then ruled all the world. They all refused the Son of God as King and Lord. All who were there must have made a choice in their hearts, and that is what we must each do now when we hear the words of the trial of Jesus and how He suffered, “the Just for the unjust” (1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18)). It was for us He suffered, as for the people then.
But He still waits, offering His love and sacrifice for all who will trust Him. These words were said by Peter concerning Jesus’ trial: “God ... hath glorified His Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate. ... Ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you” (Acts 3:13-1413The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. 14But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; (Acts 3:13‑14)).
Further Meditation
1. Why did God permit such awful treatment of His own Son?
2. How else does God’s love get expressed in this story?
3. You might find more helpful thoughts on this sad time in Night Scenes of Scripture by W. T. P. Wolston.