From that moment Pilate kept trying to release him. But the Jews shouted, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!” When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside. He sat down on the judge’s seat in a place called the Stone Pavement (but in Aramaic, Gabbatha). It was the preparation day for the Passover, and it was about noon. Then he told the Jews, “Here is your king!” They shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?” “We have no king but Caesar!” the chief priests answered. Then he handed him over to be crucified. John 19:12-16
The two responses to Jesus in this passage are striking. There are the Jewish leaders who have been waiting for a king but refuse to recognize Jesus as their king. Then there is Pilate, who knows that there is something special about Jesus, but ultimately rejects Him because of political expediency. Both perspectives were wrong and both had terrible consequences. The Jewish leaders were willing to do whatever it took to get their way, even lying about their love and allegiance for Caesar. Pilate was willing to do whatever it took, even if it meant condemning an innocent man (and rejecting God) in order to maintain his power and privilege. Both perspectives are without excuse.
As you read the passage, you think that Pilate might be willing to do the right thing. It seems like he knows what is right and he does make some attempts to talk the Jewish leaders down from their “Crucify Him!” mentality. However, there is one screw that they cleverly turn which changes everything; the term Amicus Caesaris (Friend of Caesar). When they tell him that if he releases Jesus he is no friend of Caesar, this is not simply a statement of fact but a cleverly veiled threat. The term Amicus Caesaris was a special team that came inscribed on a special ring and only given to a few special people in Caesar’s circle. Whether Pilate wanted this and was afraid he might not get it, or whether he already had that status and was afraid of losing it is uncertain. What is certain is that Jesus was sacrificed on the altar of Pilate’s political ambition.
At this point, it would be easy to descend into a discussion of how Jesus is being abused at every turn by those who are politically motivated today, but I won’t go there. Instead, I want to challenge you to be careful about your treatment of Christ and His Kingship in your own life. Some, like the Pharisees, have the truth but miss it because it is not packaged according to their preconceived ideas. Knowing about God is not enough and church affiliation is not enough. You have to know Him (not just facts about Him) in a personal way and that means submitting to Him and His word regardless of whether He fits into your box or not. Additionally, for those like Pilate who have never known much about Him you also have a choice to make. You have to decide if you want to be a friend of the world or a friend of God, and you need to know that the latter will cost you something. Are you willing to sacrifice whatever is necessary to do what is right and trust Him by faith? Your eternity rests on your response to that question.
