As tragic as the crucifixion was, …
Pilate went out again and said to them, "See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him." So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!"
John 19:4-5 (ESV)
Pilate "sort of" appeased his conscience. He might have thought that his actions acquitted him of any responsibility. However, authority brings a unique responsibility that must not be compromised. Doing what is right, or what he thought was right, is imperative. The nagging question is this: Why did he think this was the right thing to do?
He obviously did not do this for the people, for he seemed to tolerate more than care for the people. He did not take this action in the best interest of Jesus. He was not out to impress his wife, and he did not do this for justice's sake. In the end, he made the choice that made life easiest for himself, thereby etching his name in history as a spineless, self-absorbed leader. Motivation is tough to identify, and we are warned in Scripture not to judge someone else's motivation, so I can only speculate about what Pilate was thinking.
As tragic as the crucifixion was, God had already turned the event into victory, proving once again that, in the end, God wins, regardless of circumstances and self-centered decisions of leaders.
John 19:4-5 (ESV)
Pilate "sort of" appeased his conscience. He might have thought that his actions acquitted him of any responsibility. However, authority brings a unique responsibility that must not be compromised. Doing what is right, or what he thought was right, is imperative. The nagging question is this: Why did he think this was the right thing to do?
He obviously did not do this for the people, for he seemed to tolerate more than care for the people. He did not take this action in the best interest of Jesus. He was not out to impress his wife, and he did not do this for justice's sake. In the end, he made the choice that made life easiest for himself, thereby etching his name in history as a spineless, self-absorbed leader. Motivation is tough to identify, and we are warned in Scripture not to judge someone else's motivation, so I can only speculate about what Pilate was thinking.
As tragic as the crucifixion was, God had already turned the event into victory, proving once again that, in the end, God wins, regardless of circumstances and self-centered decisions of leaders.
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