1. Here is the man! (1-6)

Pilate thought that by publicly shaming Jesus--and the Jews--he could avoid executing him. So he allowed the soldiers to flog Jesus and mock his kingship with a crown of thorns and a purple robe. He admitted that he could find no basis for a charge against Jesus. Then he brought him out and proclaimed, 'Here is the man!' The Jewish leaders shouted, 'Crucify!' Pilate's attempt to compromise failed.

2. He claimed to be the Son of God (7-16a)

The Jews demanded Jesus' death because he claimed to be the Son of God. This frightened Pilate; he threatened Jesus, telling him that he, Pilate, held over him the power of life and death. But Pilate was only a puppet of Rome, and the Sovereign God ultimately controls men and history. Those who used Pilate as a tool were more guilty than he. When Pilate tried again to release Jesus, the Jews shouted the ultimate blasphemy, 'We have no king but Caesar.' Pilate feared Caesar more than he feared God, so he handed Jesus over to be crucified.

Application: Lord, help me not to compromise, but to acknowledge your kingship in every area of my life.
One Word: Jesus is King