No Fault

John 19:1-12

     "I find no fault in Him at all."     - Pilate, as recorded in John 18:38

     When appealing to Pilate the religious leaders encouraged him to believe that Jesus was, "perverting the nation, forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King." (Luke 23:2) Jesus would answer, yes, He was the King of the Jews. But to the rest He answered nothing. Which amazed Pilate, who asked, "Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have the power to crucify You, and the power to release You?"

     Pilate held the power of life or death over those he ruled. With one exception - Jesus!

     And Jesus told Pilate that he, "could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given to you from above."

     Pilate wants to release Jesus. He finds no fault in Him. He isn't concerned with the Jewish leaders' accusations that Jesus has made Himself the Son of God, and finds no reason to bow to their demands for His crucifixion on that point.

     So the religious leaders changed their ploy. "If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar's friend." Releasing Jesus would make Pilate Caesar's enemy. The great power that Pilate enjoyed would be gone. This appeal hit its mark. Pilate cared more about his position and power, than justice for an innocent man.

     There are many who believe that Jesus was a good man, teaching people to live good lives. They find no fault in Him. Just another prophet in a progression of prophets. On the matter of whether or not He was the Son of God there is little concern.

     What happens, though, when employment, power or status is threatened by believing that Jesus is a good man? It's easier to look away and condemn Him. After all, what difference does it make?

     Pilate, as all men, would die one day. The status he held on earth would be forgotten. Eternity would loom ahead of him. Jesus gave words of instruction to be used in preparing for that day, "For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:36-38)

     Jesus came to the world as more than a good man, a prophet, a man without fault..

     ...He came to restore us to God our Father through His death, burial and resurrection.