The Jewish leaders took Jesus to Pilate to execute him. The dialogue between Pilate and the Jewish leaders shows their strained relationship. The Jewish leaders seemed to hold the upper hand over Pilate, demanding him to do whatever they asked. When Pilate told them to judge him according to the Jewish law, they refused because the Jews didn’t have the right to execute him. They didn’t want a trial, just for Jesus to be put to death. This took place to fulfill Jesus’ prophecy about his death. People may plan and plot evil schemes, but the sovereign God is in control and his purpose will always be fulfilled.

Pilate questioned Jesus if he was the king of the Jews. Jesus answered that his kingdom was not of this world, but from another place. He came to the world to testify to the truth of his kingdom. Jesus told him that one who is on the side of truth listens to him. Jesus personally invited Pilate to his eternal kingdom, but Pilate didn’t stand on the side of truth. Consequently, he bowed down to compromise, man pleasing, and evil. When we don’t commit ourselves to truth, we are vulnerable to fall into sin and temptation.
Application: Lord, without you, I am vulnerable. I hold on to you by listening to you.
One Word: Truth sets us free