An Ultimate and Historic Question

Pontius Pilate was the fifth Roman prefect of Judea (ruled A.D. 26-36), and who issued the fateful order sentencing Jesus to death by crucifixion.

Yet, “from the first, Pilate was convicted that Jesus was no common man. He believed Him to be of excellent character and entirely innocent of the charges brought against Him. When he heard of Jesus and the mighty works wrought by Him, he feared and trembled. Satan and his angels were tempting Pilate and trying to lead him on to his own ruin. Through fear of losing his power and authority, Pilate consented to the death of Jesus. And notwithstanding, he placed the blood of Jesus upon His accusers, and the multitude received it.”(E.R. 173-74)

Pilate, however, carelessly asked the multitudes, charged by the chief priests and elders, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Perhaps Pilate had a glimmer of hope, that there still might be a softening of hearts and he would be released of this momentous decision and responsibility, that his hands would be cleaned of this innocent blood.

Yet, on the other hand, there was a blood-red, faithless streak of greed in Pilate, and through fear of losing his power and authority, Pilate, unfortunately realized he was in possession of the richest treasure of infinite grace, and he was very anxious to make an extortionate, profitable disposition of it.

There was no question it had real value. It had many times been sold before. What do we mean by this? Well, this Treasure was Jesus, believed by Pilate to be “King of the Jews!” Believed by Herod to be “John the Baptist”, risen from the dead. Believed by the people to be “the Son of David.” Believed by some to be “Elias”, and others, “Jeremias”, or one of the “Prophets”. Believed by Nicodemus, to be a “Teacher, come from God.” Believed by Phillip to be “Him of whom Moses in the Law and the prophets wrote about.” Believed by John the Baptist, to be the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.” Believed by Gabriel to be “the Son of the Highest.” And, declared by Peter to be the “Son of the Living God.”

So, we can see, He was a pearl of great price that many have given their all to possess. Yes, by others despised and bitterly rejected and attacked. He had a name more excellent than angels, and a position highly exalted, and divine.
But, strangely, perhaps for some, by these very same estimates, it will be readily seen that He had no “fixed value.” To King Solomon He was the “chiefest among ten thousand”; while to the Jews a “stumbling block”, and unto the Greeks, “foolishness”.

Yet, “In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Col 2:9).

Whatever we exchange Him for becomes our God. Think and dwell on this. Furthermore, He is “sold” with all the blessings contained in Him, and what we receive in exchange for Him we prefer to Him, and worship in His place! It’s very simple and fundamental: we take our choice… accept the one, and reject the other.

Pilate would have been glad to have saved Christ, but he was too anxious for… yes, coveting. Coveting, which is in reality, idolatry… the “good-will” of the Jewish people, and at that “shrine”, if he must, and he did… dramatically sacrifice Him.

Others had sold Him, and why shouldn’t he? You don’t necessarily have to be a Bible scholar to understand this. We clearly saw that Judas had just sold Him for 30 pieces of shimmering silver. The Jews were in the act of trading Him for a thief and a viperous murderer. Esau had traded him for a (mess) pot of pottage soup. Lot’s wife had given him for a look at a burning city. Israel had once offered to trade Him for onions and garlic! And another time for a drink of water and a mess of dead quails.

Balaam had given Him for the blessing of Balak; and Saul had traded Him for the cattle of the Amalekites. Korah had tried to purchase a public office and leadership with Him. Furthermore, Achan had given Him for a golden bar (wedge) and a Babylonian garment. One man in the parable of the Feast, had exchanged Him for a piece of land. Another had given Him for five yoke of oxen, and a third had traded Him for a wife, while the young man and Ruler preferred his great possessions to Him.

Neither was it an unusual thing for men to trade Him for honor and good-will of men. Moses had once made such a negotiation; King Saul had made the same kind of bargain; and Peter had just traded Him for popularity in the Judgement Hall.

Indeed, there are no lusts or evil inclinations that He has not been exchanged for. Solomon gave Him for His wives. David traded Him for Uriah’s wife.

Pilate now had it in his unshackled, calloused hands to do, in a literal or real sense, what others had done in a spiritual sense. Pilate had been grimly warned by his trustful wife against it by her sin-chastening dreams. His conscience condemned him, and he would gladly have saved Jesus, but like others, he was under inviting temptation. Herod the Great had purchased the “good-will” of the Jews, by rebuilding their Temple, and Pilate realized the necessity of doing something to merit the Jews approval and cooperation.

The opportunity had now presented itself, and selfishness now took control with its opportunity. Gladly would he have released Barabbas, a common murderer and wild rebel, and thusly sacrifice the laws and government of Rome, if he could reach the same result.

A sharp and fluent command had been rolling down through all the ages, and echoing from the top of Mt. Sinai, saying; “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Would Pilate obey it? Or, would he like so many others bow at another shrine? “What shall I do then with Jesus”, he said. “Shall I accept Him or reject Him?” “Shall I keep Him or sell Him?”
Now, let’s grimly and grievously pose this same question to our weary, but precious lives. Does not this same question come home to us in the hour of every temptation? What are we doing with Jesus? What value, if any, are we putting
on Him? At what class or scale of beings have we put Him? At what cold and idolatrous altar are we sacrificing Him?
Are we, like Pilate, putting the question, as he did, to his enemies, and so, avoid or shirk our responsibilities in the matter?

Are we disposing of Him, and then washing our hands, and trying to throw the blame on someone else, trying to obtain the coveted prize and keep Jesus, too?!

King Saul tried it, and lost his crown. Pilate tried it and crucified His Saviour!

THAT IS THE QUESTION!

John Theodorou, USA