22.118 | A Blackmail | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

John 19:12-15

12 From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” 13 So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

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12 Mula noo'y sinikap ni Pilato na siya'y pakawalan. Ngunit ang mga Judio ay nagsisigawang, “Kung pakakawalan mo ang taong ito ay hindi ka kaibigan ni Cesar. Ang bawat nag-aangkin na siya'y hari ay nagsasalita ng laban kay Cesar.” 13 Nang marinig ni Pilato ang mga salitang ito ay inilabas niya si Jesus, at siya'y naupo sa hukuman sa dakong tinatawag na Plataporma (sa Hebreo ay Gabbatha). 14 Noon ay Paghahanda ng Paskuwa, at noo'y mag-iikaanim na oras. Sinabi niya sa mga Judio, “Narito ang inyong Hari!” 15 Sila'y nagsigawan, “Ilayo siya, ilayo siya, ipako siya sa krus!” Sinabi sa kanila ni Pilato, “Ipapako ko ba sa krus ang inyong Hari?” Sumagot ang mga punong pari, “Wala kaming hari liban kay Cesar.” 16 At ibinigay ni Pilato si Jesus sa kanila upang maipako sa krus.

A BLACKMAIL

Apparently, Pilate clearly has no interest in Jewish religious squabbles. He knew Jesus wasn’t a political threat. He scourged Jesus as an attempt to negotiate with the crowd for His release, only to see the angry crowd chose a known murderer (John 18:39–40).

But, the crowd had orchestrated a political trap for Pilate in their demand for Jesus to die. They knew his position was at stake. Pilate was blackmailed. This same mob cynically claimed they were motivated by loyalty to the Roman Empire (John 19:15). Pilate will be forced to choose between the devil and deep blue sea. Either, he can refuse to bow to the mob, release an innocent man, and risk a riot. Or, he can give in to the Jews, execute an innocent man, and maintain his position or power.

Sadly, Pilate gave in. He sacrificed truth with power.

It is always the right time to do the right thing. Should we are like Pilate who are obssessed with power, to do the right thing would be extremely hard. Indecisiveness is the result, is it not? Doing the right thing, in many cases, is humbling. It’s not our rights and reputation we are primarily concern about. It’s Christ, isn’t it? As John said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”[John 3:30]

While Pilate was conflicting and confused, Jesus was calm and composed. At the garden, He has resolved that there was one thing to do regardless of the pain. He said, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”[Matt 26:39]

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