Jesus Is Left in Limbo

Lesson #309

We will pick up where we left off in the last lesson. “Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him”” (John 18:38 ESV). The more I think about Pilate’s response of “What is truth?” the less sure I am that it was said in jest. I say this because back in verse 31, “Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”” because at that time the Jews were unable to furnish a formal accusation. It is very possible that Pilot was simply frustrated with the Jews for trying to get him to sentence Jesus to death for no substantial reason. Pilot has neither the time or the will to go along with the Jews and goes from the palace back outside to tell the Jews that he finds no guilt in him.

Pilate’s statement of innocence’s to the Jews should have brought this episode to an end, but Pilate gives the Jews an option when he says: “But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”” (John 18:39 ESV). This option allows God’s plan to continue to move Jesus closer to the cross. In mockery Pilot refers to Jesus as their king and wants to know if he should be released to them to satisfy the Passover custom of releasing one prisoner. There is no doubt how the Jews will respond. If Jesus were released, then they had accomplished nothing toward ending the life of Jesus.

“They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber” (John 18:40 ESV). The Jews did not want Jesus to be released to them. They wanted to keep him in the hands of Pilot to deal with. In the next lesson, which begins chapter 19, we will learn what Pilot did with Jesus.

 

Prayer

Father, this is a short lesson, but the chapter abruptly ends. It is clear that a purpose of sending Jesus to earth was to have him die on the cross as a means of purchasing our salvation. I find it interesting how you are allowing the sin of the Jews and Pilot to carry out your will to have Jesus condemned to death on the cross without any evidence. In countries of persecution, you are allowing evil men to cause great suffering, even death, of believers to further the kingdom of your beloved Son. It is amazing how you can take that which is evil and out of it create something beautiful.