Jesus Before Pilate: The Heart of Redemption

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus, the Innocent King, Rejected by Men

Jesus Christ, though completely innocent and without fault, was rejected by the religious leaders and delivered to Pontius Pilate, fulfilling both prophecy and the reality that our faith is rooted in historical events. The chief priests, elders, and scribes accused Jesus of crimes He did not commit, binding Him and presenting Him as a threat to Roman authority, even though Pilate himself found no guilt in Him. This rejection was not just a matter of mistaken identity or misunderstanding, but a willful turning away from the true King, as foretold in Isaiah and demonstrated in the events leading up to the crucifixion. The rejection of Jesus by those who should have recognized Him reminds us that outward religiosity can mask a heart far from God, and that true faith is not about appearances but about knowing and loving the Lord. [34:10]

Mark 15:1-5 (ESV)
And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

Reflection: In what ways might you be tempted to reject Jesus’ authority in your own life, even while maintaining outward appearances of faith?

Day 2: Jesus, the Silent Lamb, Willingly Condemned

Though falsely accused and declared innocent by both Pilate and Herod, Jesus remained silent before His accusers, fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would be like a lamb led to the slaughter. His silence was not weakness, but a demonstration of His willingness to bear injustice for our sake, making full atonement for our sins. Jesus’ refusal to defend Himself allowed Him to take the place of the guilty, showing that He laid down His life willingly and was not a victim of circumstance. In this, we see the depth of Christ’s love and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, as the Judge of all the earth stood silent before sinful men so that we might be acquitted. [43:30]

Isaiah 53:7 (ESV)
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

Reflection: When you face injustice or misunderstanding, how can you follow Jesus’ example of trusting God’s purpose rather than defending yourself?

Day 3: Jesus, Our Substitute, Takes the Place of the Guilty

Barabbas, a known rebel and murderer, was released while Jesus, the innocent Son of God, was condemned—demonstrating the great exchange at the heart of the gospel. Jesus took the place of Barabbas, just as He takes the place of every sinner who trusts in Him, bearing the punishment we deserve so that we might be counted righteous. This substitution was not an accident of history, but the will of the Lord, who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all. In Christ, we are set free from condemnation, walking in the liberty provided by His sacrifice, while He bore the wrath and punishment that was rightfully ours. [46:14]

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Reflection: Who or what do you most identify with in the story of Barabbas, and how does knowing Jesus took your place change the way you see yourself today?

Day 4: Jesus, the Humiliated King, Endures Suffering for Us

Jesus endured unimaginable physical and emotional suffering—scourged, mocked, crowned with thorns, and beaten—yet He did so willingly, despising the shame for the joy set before Him. His body was marred beyond human semblance, and He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows, fulfilling the words of the prophets. The humiliation and agony He faced were not signs of defeat, but of His sovereign love and purpose, as He took upon Himself the chastisement that brings us peace and healing. In His suffering, we see both the horror of sin and the greatness of God’s mercy, as Jesus bore the full weight of our punishment to reconcile us to the Father. [53:26]

Isaiah 53:4-5 (ESV)
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Reflection: What specific area of pain or shame in your life do you need to bring to Jesus, trusting that He has already borne it for you?

Day 5: Believe the Gospel—Trusting in Christ Alone for Salvation

The gospel is not merely a story or a set of instructions, but the declaration of what God has done in Christ—His life, death, burial, and resurrection for our salvation. Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice were for you, so that you might be reconciled to God and set free from wrath. Salvation is not earned by works or religious performance, but received by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, confessing Him as Lord, and trusting in His finished work. The invitation is to rest your eternity on Jesus alone, placing all your hope in His blood and righteousness, and to respond in faith today. [59:17]

Romans 10:9 (ESV)
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Reflection: What would it look like for you to place all your hope and trust in Jesus today—are there areas where you are still relying on yourself instead of His finished work?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered as a family—children and adults alike—to reflect on the profound events surrounding Jesus’ trial before Pontius Pilate. The Apostles’ Creed, one of the earliest Christian confessions, specifically names Pilate, anchoring our faith in real, historical events. This inclusion reminds us that Christianity is not a myth or a set of abstract ideas, but a faith rooted in verifiable history. Pilate’s presence in the Creed also highlights his unique authority as the Roman governor, the only one with the legal power to execute Jesus, thus fulfilling ancient prophecies about the Messiah’s suffering.

We explored the character of Pilate—a man known for his cruelty, stubbornness, and poor leadership. Despite his authority, Pilate was manipulated by the religious leaders and the crowd, ultimately condemning an innocent man to death. The religious leaders, driven by envy and self-righteousness, orchestrated Jesus’ rejection, preferring to release Barabbas, a known criminal, instead of the sinless Son of God. This exchange is a vivid picture of substitution: the innocent taking the place of the guilty.

Jesus’ silence before his accusers fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, portraying him as the Lamb of God who willingly endured injustice. He was not a victim of circumstance, but the willing sacrifice, taking upon himself the punishment that we deserved. The brutality of his scourging and the humiliation he suffered at the hands of the soldiers were not just acts of human cruelty, but the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Jesus bore the full weight of our sin, enduring unimaginable suffering so that we might be reconciled to God.

This narrative confronts us with the reality of our own guilt and the depth of Christ’s love. Like Barabbas, we are the ones who deserve judgment, yet Jesus takes our place. The call is clear: believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, not as a distant figure or a mere historical character, but as the Savior who suffered, died, and rose again for you. Trust in him alone for your salvation, and rest in the freedom and hope that his sacrifice provides. As we remember his atonement through the Lord’s Supper, let our hearts be filled with gratitude and joy, knowing that there is no more wrath left for those who are in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. The inclusion of Pontius Pilate in the Apostles’ Creed grounds our faith in historical reality. Christianity is not based on abstract ideas or wishful thinking, but on verifiable events and real people. This historical foundation assures us that our faith is trustworthy and that Jesus truly lived, suffered, and died as the Scriptures declare. [34:10]
2. The religious leaders’ rejection of Jesus exposes the danger of self-righteousness and external religiosity. They appeared devout and knowledgeable, yet their hearts were far from God, willing to commit grave injustice to preserve their own power. True righteousness is not found in outward conformity, but in humble faith and love for God. [41:02]
3. Jesus’ silence before his accusers was not weakness, but a fulfillment of prophecy and a demonstration of his willing submission. He endured injustice without protest, making full atonement for our sins. His silence reveals both his innocence and his resolve to accomplish the Father’s redemptive plan. [43:30]
4. The exchange between Jesus and Barabbas is a powerful picture of substitutionary atonement. The innocent Son of God takes the place of the guilty, offering freedom to those who deserve condemnation. This is the heart of the gospel: Christ became sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. [47:44]
5. The suffering and humiliation Jesus endured were not merely acts of human cruelty, but the outworking of God’s sovereign will. Jesus willingly bore the full weight of our sin, enduring the wrath we deserved, so that we could be reconciled to God. Our response must be to trust in him alone, resting our hope entirely on his finished work. [56:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Family Worship Sunday Introduction
[02:45] - The Apostles’ Creed: Historical Roots
[06:30] - Why Pontius Pilate Is Named
[10:15] - Pilate’s Character and Roman Authority
[15:40] - Jesus Before Pilate: Mark 15 Read Aloud
[20:30] - The Accusations Against Jesus
[24:00] - The Hypocrisy of the Religious Leaders
[28:10] - Jesus’ Silence and Fulfillment of Prophecy
[32:00] - Barabbas and the Crowd’s Choice
[36:00] - God’s Sovereignty in Jesus’ Condemnation
[40:00] - The Scourging and Humiliation of Jesus
[45:00] - The Meaning of Jesus’ Suffering
[50:00] - The Call to Believe and Respond
[54:00] - Preparing for the Lord’s Supper

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Mark 15:1-20, what accusations do the religious leaders bring against Jesus, and how does Jesus respond to Pilate’s questions?
According to the sermon, what kind of man was Pontius Pilate, and how did his character affect the outcome of Jesus’ trial? [[36:50]]
What is significant about the crowd choosing Barabbas to be released instead of Jesus? [[44:34]]
In Isaiah 53:7, how is the silence of the suffering servant described, and how does this connect to Jesus’ silence before his accusers?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the Apostles’ Creed specifically mentions Pontius Pilate by name, and how does this ground our faith in history? [[34:10]]
What does the exchange between Jesus and Barabbas teach us about the idea of substitution in the gospel? [[47:44]]
The religious leaders appeared outwardly righteous but were willing to commit injustice. What does this reveal about the dangers of self-righteousness and external religiosity? [[41:02]]
Jesus’ silence before Pilate fulfilled prophecy and demonstrated his willing submission. What does this tell us about his mission and his character? [[43:30]]

Application Questions

The sermon says that Christianity is rooted in real, historical events—not just ideas or myths. How does knowing that your faith is based on verifiable history affect your confidence in following Jesus? [[34:10]]
Pilate was pressured by the crowd and religious leaders to do what he knew was wrong. Have you ever felt pressured to go along with something you knew was wrong? How did you respond, and what would you do differently now? [[36:50]]
The religious leaders looked good on the outside but were far from God in their hearts. Are there areas in your life where you are more focused on outward appearance than on genuine faith and love for God? What would it look like to change that? [[41:02]]
Barabbas, a guilty man, was set free while Jesus, the innocent one, was condemned. In what ways do you identify with Barabbas? How does it feel to know that Jesus took your place? [[47:44]]
Jesus endured suffering and humiliation willingly for our sake. When you think about the cost of your salvation, how does it impact your gratitude and the way you live? [[56:17]]
The call of the gospel is to trust in Jesus alone for salvation. Is there anything or anyone else you are tempted to trust in for your sense of worth or security? What would it look like to rest your hope entirely on Jesus’ finished work? [[59:17]]
As we remember Jesus’ sacrifice through the Lord’s Supper, what specific things can you thank him for this week? How can you let gratitude and joy shape your attitude and actions toward others? [[01:02:00]]

Sermon Clips

Why on earth is Pontius Pilate, of all the people, included in the oldest historic Christian confession? I mean, Judas' betrayal isn't in there, Peter's denial isn't in there, Caiaphas' sham of a trial isn't in there, but Pontius Pilate is. And why? Well, firstly, it bases the events of Jesus' life around historical reality. We have a historic faith based on real, actual events that we can go to and we can document and prove that Jesus is who He said He is. [00:30:02]

We might look at this and we might say, man, these were men that were leaders in the community. These were men that you would want coming over to pray over your home. They looked righteous. They sounded righteous. They tithed really well. They knew the word of God, but they didn't know the God of the word. [00:41:09]

In fact, we see in point one, the king is rejected. The chief priest describes the elders, they rejected Jesus Christ completely. In fact, it is by their accusations that Pontius Pilate gives Jesus the title, the king of the Jews. This is why Pilate asks, are you the king of the Jews? Jesus, he says, you have said so. Jesus isn't denying it. He's the king of kings. But his crucifixion isn't going to be because of a claim that he makes. It's going to be because he lays down his life willingly for us. No one takes it from him. [00:41:32]

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth, like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that, before its shearers, is silent. So he opened not his mouth. See, Christ, he endured in silence because he was completely innocent. And because he didn't defend himself, he was able to make full atonement for our sins. [00:43:51]

Charles Spurgeon, he said that Christ, he stood before Pilate, and yet the real judge of all the earth stood silent before a sinful man. He who will one day judge the nations was himself condemned so that we might be acquitted. [00:44:16]

Jesus, he went to the cross willingly in order to make full atonement for our sin. That means that he made full payment for us. He willingly bore injustice to secure our salvation. [00:44:34]

Barabbas was also known as Jesus Barabbas. This man, he committed murder. He's described as a rebel, as an insurrectionist, someone that's misleading the people. And Pilate, he asked, do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews? Pilate, he likely assumed that based on Jesus' recent triumphal entry, that the crowd wanted him to be released. But Pilate underestimated the influence of the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. You see, their ability to manipulate was only second to Satan's. [00:44:59]

God used Judas to betray Jesus. God used Satan to put it into the heart of Judas to betray Jesus. God used Caiaphas to wind up the crowd to get them to ask for the crucifixion of Jesus. God used Pilate to deliver Jesus over to be crucified. This is the work of the Lord because it was the will of the Lord to crush his son. [00:45:56]

Jesus is completely guiltless. He's innocent. No one can find fault with him, and yet Jesus willingly takes the blame for us so that we can take his righteousness, and Barabbas is a picture of that for us. Jesus is the substitute for Barabbas. [00:47:19]

You see, you and I, we are Barabbas. Christ died so that we would not be condemned as guilty for our sins, but that we would be counted as innocent when we trust in Christ through faith. We're the ones that are guilty. Our punishment is not beatings and crucifixions. We get off scot-free, walking in the freedom and the liberty that's provided for us in Christ. [00:47:57]

Many time atheists will say, you know, I will believe in God. If he were to just come down here and reveal himself to us. If I could see him, if I could touch him, if I could talk to him a little bit, listen to him, then I will believe in God. Well, guess what? That happened and we killed the man. And this exposes our natural depravity where we prefer sin over the Savior. The only thing that changes that is a heart change. [00:49:32]

Jesus answered him, you would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given to you from above. Therefore, he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin. [00:51:28]

The scourging that Jesus endured during this time was by no means any kind of a mercy. The punishment that was known as flagellatio was intended to weaken condemned men. Jesus, he was stripped naked. He was tied down with his hands up on a post and it exposed his entire body, his back, his backside, his legs. They were open to every single whip. For 39 lashes, this whip embedded with bones and lead and stones ripped into his flesh. His flesh was brutally torn from his body over and over and over again. [00:52:22]

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. Yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace. And with his wounds, we are healed. [00:54:04]

And yet it's Jesus who is in full control here. He has total control of the situation. Here's what the scripture says, all who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. This is the plan from the beginning. That mankind will be set free by the death of the Son. [00:56:23]

See, Jesus, he did these things willingly. Willingly. Hebrews chapter 12, verse 2 said, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising its shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. [00:57:03]

He bore all the punishment and all the injustice. He took the place so that we could escape the wrath to come. You see, just like Barabbas, we are guilty of actual sins. We're the ones that are guilty. And the punishment that Christ took was Barabbas's, but it was ours as well. And Jesus, he did this so that we could be reconciled to the Father. [00:57:53]

The gospel, it tells us what Christ did to save us. We call the book of Mark, right? Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We call them the gospel. Because the gospel isn't so much about, hey, this is how you become saved. This is, the gospel is, this is what God did. Do you believe it in order to be saved? It's about the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. [00:58:21]

Romans 10, 9, it tells us because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. So believe on the Lord Jesus Christ today. Believe the gospel and be saved. [00:59:48]

God, he wants you to know that Jesus, he suffered in our place. He actually paid for our sins. We learn that Jesus' suffering before Pilate fulfills prophecy and it reveals him as the sinless lamb who took our punishment to deliver us from our sins. [01:00:08]

This is what God wants you to believe, that Jesus Christ, he willingly suffered and died in your place to deliver you from your sins. Jesus' voluntary sacrifice. He laid down his life. No one took it from him. We see it in his silence. We see it in his submission to the condemnation. We see it in his humiliation. It just proves his love and in his power to save you from your sins. [01:00:31]

God, he wants you to trust in Jesus alone for your salvation and to confess him as Lord. [01:01:02]

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