Innocent?

John 19:13-24

     Pilate caved in to the religious leaders and mob, releasing a murderer and turning over an innocent man; who was mocked...crowned with thorns...spit on...beaten...then sent to the Place of a Skull to be crucified. (Matthew 27:26-33) Before turning Jesus over, Pilate wanted to make one thing clear, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person." (Matthew 27:24) He told the crowd Jesus was innocent, that he "found no fault in Him". He was released from liability for the acts that would follow.

     Or was he?

     Pilate found himself in a position that many of us do when we try to please everyone. When we try to be politically correct at the cost of the truth. When we cave in and go along with everyone else, even when we know we are wrong.

     In high school there was a sweet Christian girl in my English class. She seemed a little old-fashioned to most of us, but I can still remember that she had a nice smile and was kind to everyone. For several weeks her chair was empty, and when she did show up again something had changed. Her eyebrows were gone, her normally fair complexion was chalk white...and she was wearing a wig. A natural redhead with beautiful hair it was now styled in an artificial cut that mimicked something our mothers would've worn. It started with a few whispers, then some giggling, and soon everyone was laughing or commenting on the wig. It was cruel, and though I didn't laugh, I didn't do anything to stop what was happening. Innocent, right?

     Or was I?

     When Jesus was hung on the cross to die Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross, "Jesus of Nazareth, The King of The Jews". The chief priests are back at Pilate's door immediately, saying, "Do not write, "The King of the Jews", but, "He said "I am the King of the Jews".  Surely Pilate will cave in again, right?

     But he didn't. "What I have written, I have written.", he told them.

     Not a politically correct answer for an ambitious man, but the truth.

     The truth about Jesus, that He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords...and forgives even those of us who cave in...