Jesus is Essential
John 19:12–15: From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.” When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”
Jesus is now in the hands of a cheap politician—not the judge of Roman justice that Pilate should have been. Pilate will let his political position overrule his justice. It is a terrible thing, even today, when government, whether it be church or state government, gets into the hands of men who are hungry for power and do not regard either God or man. Notice the dignity of the Lord Jesus through all this. Notice that He is not the one on trial. Pilate is forced to a choice.
Will it be Jesus Christ or Caesar? The religious leaders are forced to a choice. Will it be Jesus Christ or Caesar? They make their dreadful choice, “We have no king but Caesar.” The day will come in the future when they will have to make another choice. Jesus Christ or the Antichrist? Friend, listen; every man must make his choice about Jesus Christ. The minute you make a decision against Christ, you make a decision for “Caesar.” 1
Walking with Jesus
We make choices everyday regarding His Lordship in our lives. Choose wisely.
And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas” Luke 23:18
When we behold Jesus we become brave.
Praying
Lord, may I always allow You to judge me, correct me, encourage me, and lead me.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (John 11-21) (electronic ed., Vol. 39). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
