Read: John 18:28-19:16
So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. (v. 16)
The Apostles’ Creed mentions three names among its 100 or so words. The first, of course, is Jesus; the second is Mary; the third is Pontius Pilate. Pilate would have been totally forgotten, just another minor official from a long-dead empire, except for a trial over which he presided. But that was the trial at which Pilate condemned Jesus to death, and now his name lives in infamy forever. How would you like to be eternally remembered as the man who crucified Christ? It only took one cowardly decision for Pilate.
Pilate didn’t want to condemn Jesus. Each of the gospel writers takes pains to record Pilate’s verdict: Jesus was not guilty (John 18:38). But like so many successful men, Pilate was in love with the world—with his status, his possessions, and especially his career. Set over against all of that was the fate of this one innocent man, Jesus Christ.
The balance was tipped at the decisive moment when someone in the crowd shouted that if Pilate released Jesus, he would be no friend of Caesar. It just wouldn’t do for a bad report from Judea to reach the emperor’s ears. So Pilate’s choice came down to this: he could either be Jesus’s friend or Caesar’s. He could have the world or he could have Christ, but not both. Though Pilate would like to have chosen Jesus, he just couldn’t bring himself to pay what that would cost him.
What about you? Which will you choose today: the world or Jesus?
As you pray, ask God to enable you to choose him today.
About the Author
Rev. David Bast
David Bast is a writer and pastor who served for 23 years as the President and Broadcast Minister for Words of Hope. In his more than 40 years of devotional writing and preaching, he has been encouraging believers around the world to be shaped by God and his Word.
Prior to his ministry and work at Words of Hope, Dave served as a pastor for 18 years in congregations in the Reformed Church in America. A graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, he is the author of nine devotional books and Bible studies, includingWhy Doesn't God Act More Like God,Christ in the Psalms, andA Gospel for the World.
Dave and his wife, Betty Jo, have four children and eight grandchildren. Dave enjoys reading, growing tomatoes, and avidly follows the Detroit Tigers.
