Pilate's Role: Truth and Redemption in Christ
Summary
In the Apostles' Creed, a historical figure other than Jesus is mentioned: Pontius Pilate. This inclusion has intrigued historians and theologians alike. The Early Church saw Pilate as a significant figure in redemptive history, used by God to bring about the crucifixion of Christ. Pilate's role as a "Publico Persona," or public figure, representing Roman authority, underscores the divine orchestration of events leading to Jesus' death. His interaction with Jesus, particularly the statement "Ecce homo" or "Behold the man," carries profound significance. The Early Church believed that Pilate, though a secular ruler, spoke words that transcended his understanding, becoming a mouthpiece for divine truth.
The phrase "Behold the man" is laden with irony and depth. Jesus, in the New Testament, is not just a man but "the man," the perfect man, the second Adam who restores the dignity lost by the first Adam. Pilate's declaration, "I find no fault in this man," further emphasizes Jesus' sinlessness. This moment invites us to consider Jesus as the ultimate role model, especially for those grappling with identity and masculinity.
The dialogue between Pilate and Jesus reveals Jesus' mission: to bear witness to the Truth. Jesus' kingdom is not of this world, and His purpose is not political but spiritual. He came to testify to the Truth, a mission that remains crucial today. In a world where truth is often compromised for peace or unity, Jesus' commitment to truth challenges us to prioritize it above all else.
Pilate's question, "What is truth?" reflects a timeless struggle. Whether asked cynically or sincerely, it underscores humanity's quest for meaning. The irony is that Pilate stood face to face with the embodiment of Truth and missed it. This encounter reminds us of the sacredness of truth, urging us to value it as a divine gift worth defending, even at great personal cost.
Key Takeaways:
- The inclusion of Pontius Pilate in the Apostles' Creed highlights his role in redemptive history, serving as a public figure through whom God's plan unfolded. His actions, though politically motivated, were part of a divine narrative that led to the crucifixion of Christ. [01:24]
- Pilate's statement "Ecce homo" invites us to see Jesus as the perfect man, the second Adam who restores what was lost through sin. This declaration challenges us to look to Jesus as the ultimate role model for true humanity. [03:51]
- Jesus' mission was to bear witness to the Truth, a calling that remains vital today. In a world where truth is often sacrificed for peace, Jesus' unwavering commitment to truth challenges us to prioritize it above all else. [15:08]
- Pilate's question, "What is truth?" reflects a universal quest for meaning. The irony of standing before the embodiment of Truth and missing it serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of recognizing and valuing truth in our lives. [19:35]
- Truth is sacred and worth defending, even at great personal cost. In a world where truth is often compromised, we are called to stand firm, echoing the sentiment, "Give me truth or give me death," as a testament to its divine origin and eternal significance. [22:29]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:38] - Pontius Pilate in the Apostles' Creed
- [01:24] - Pilate's Role in Redemptive History
- [02:15] - The Significance of "Ecce Homo"
- [02:56] - Pilate's Declaration of Jesus' Innocence
- [03:51] - Jesus as the Perfect Man
- [05:14] - God Speaking Through Pagans
- [06:09] - Jesus as the Second Adam
- [07:03] - Pilate's Interrogation of Jesus
- [09:24] - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World
- [10:49] - Jesus' Mission to Bear Witness to the Truth
- [12:47] - The Power of Jesus' Authority
- [15:08] - The Importance of Truth
- [18:15] - Pilate's Question: "What is Truth?"
- [20:26] - The Sacredness of Truth
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 18:33-38
2. Genesis 1:26-27
3. Romans 5:12-19
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Observation Questions:
1. What role does Pontius Pilate play in the narrative of Jesus' crucifixion according to the sermon? How does this align with his mention in the Apostles' Creed? [01:24]
2. What is the significance of Pilate's statement "Ecce homo" or "Behold the man" in the context of Jesus' identity as the second Adam? [03:51]
3. How does Jesus describe His kingdom in His conversation with Pilate, and what does this reveal about His mission? [10:49]
4. What is the irony in Pilate's question, "What is truth?" considering his encounter with Jesus? [19:35]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the inclusion of Pontius Pilate in the Apostles' Creed emphasize the divine orchestration of events leading to Jesus' crucifixion? [01:24]
2. In what ways does Pilate's declaration "I find no fault in this man" highlight Jesus' sinlessness and role as the perfect man? [07:51]
3. How does Jesus' mission to bear witness to the Truth challenge contemporary views on truth and its importance in society? [15:08]
4. What does Pilate's failure to recognize the embodiment of Truth in Jesus teach us about the human quest for meaning and understanding? [19:35]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a situation where truth was compromised for the sake of peace or unity. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now? [15:08]
2. Consider the role models you look up to. How does Jesus as the "perfect man" challenge or affirm your current understanding of true humanity and masculinity? [07:51]
3. In what ways can you prioritize truth in your daily life, especially when faced with societal pressures to conform or compromise? [15:08]
4. How can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for the sacredness of truth in your personal and spiritual life? What steps can you take to defend truth, even at personal cost? [22:29]
5. Think about a recent encounter where you might have missed recognizing truth. How can you become more attuned to recognizing and valuing truth in future interactions? [19:35]
6. How can you apply the lesson of Jesus' kingdom "not being of this world" to your own life, especially in terms of your priorities and values? [10:49]
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle with understanding or accepting truth. What practical steps can you take to seek clarity and align with Jesus' example of bearing witness to the Truth? [15:08]
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Orchestration Through Secular Authority
The inclusion of Pontius Pilate in the Apostles' Creed highlights his role in redemptive history, serving as a public figure through whom God's plan unfolded. Pilate, a Roman governor, was a key player in the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus. His actions, though politically motivated, were part of a divine narrative that led to the fulfillment of prophecy and the salvation of humanity. This underscores the belief that God can use even secular authorities to accomplish His purposes. Pilate's role reminds us that God's sovereignty extends over all realms, and His plans are not thwarted by human intentions. [01:24]
Isaiah 46:10-11 (ESV): "Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,' calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it."
Reflection: Consider a situation in your life where you feel secular authority is at odds with your faith. How might God be using this situation to fulfill His greater purpose?
Day 2: The Perfect Man and Restorer of Dignity
Pilate's statement "Ecce homo" invites us to see Jesus as the perfect man, the second Adam who restores what was lost through sin. This declaration challenges us to look to Jesus as the ultimate role model for true humanity. In the New Testament, Jesus is portrayed not just as a man but as "the man," embodying the perfection and dignity that humanity lost through the fall of Adam. Pilate's unwitting proclamation points to the profound truth of Jesus' sinlessness and His role in restoring humanity's lost dignity. This invites us to reflect on our own identity and the example Jesus sets for us in living a life of integrity and purpose. [03:51]
1 Corinthians 15:21-22 (ESV): "For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."
Reflection: In what ways can you model your life after Jesus, the perfect man, in your daily interactions and decisions?
Day 3: Bearing Witness to the Truth
Jesus' mission was to bear witness to the Truth, a calling that remains vital today. In a world where truth is often sacrificed for peace, Jesus' unwavering commitment to truth challenges us to prioritize it above all else. His kingdom is not of this world, and His purpose is not political but spiritual. Jesus came to testify to the Truth, and this mission continues to be crucial in a world where truth is frequently compromised. As followers of Christ, we are called to uphold and defend the truth, even when it is inconvenient or unpopular. [15:08]
John 18:37 (ESV): "Then Pilate said to him, 'So you are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.'"
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you have compromised on truth. What steps can you take today to realign with the truth and bear witness to it?
Day 4: The Quest for Meaning and the Embodiment of Truth
Pilate's question, "What is truth?" reflects a universal quest for meaning. The irony of standing before the embodiment of Truth and missing it serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of recognizing and valuing truth in our lives. Pilate's encounter with Jesus highlights the sacredness of truth and the human struggle to understand it. Despite being face to face with Jesus, Pilate failed to grasp the profound truth standing before him. This reminds us of the importance of seeking and recognizing truth in our own lives, urging us to value it as a divine gift worth defending. [19:35]
Proverbs 23:23 (ESV): "Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you were confronted with the truth but failed to recognize it. How can you cultivate a heart that is open to receiving and valuing truth?
Day 5: The Sacredness of Truth
Truth is sacred and worth defending, even at great personal cost. In a world where truth is often compromised, we are called to stand firm, echoing the sentiment, "Give me truth or give me death," as a testament to its divine origin and eternal significance. The commitment to truth is not just a philosophical stance but a spiritual imperative. As believers, we are called to uphold truth in all aspects of our lives, recognizing its divine origin and eternal significance. This requires courage and conviction, especially when truth is challenged or dismissed by the world around us. [22:29]
Ephesians 4:25 (ESV): "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."
Reflection: What is one truth you are currently struggling to defend in your life? How can you seek God's strength to stand firm in this truth, regardless of the cost?
Quotes
In the Apostles Creed, we find something that is a little bit unusual, and that is, there is a reference in this creed to a historical person other than Jesus, that person who makes it into the creed and remains notorious and infamous because of it, is Pontius Pilate. [00:00:31]
The Early Church considered Pontius Pilate to be a very important person in terms of redemptive history, that he was used of God at a particular time and in a particular place for a particular reason; namely, to bring about the death of Christ that is designed for our redemption. [00:01:24]
And Pontius Pilate functions, according to the thinkers of the Early Church, in a role that is called the "Publico Persona," or as we would say, "A public person." He is a public figure who is in a position of authority, the seat of Roman power, as he represents the Roman government in this drama. [00:01:50]
But in the Early Church with the conviction that Pilate was not speaking merely as a private individual, but as one authorized by the Roman state, that his words take on more weighty significance. But even beyond the role of speaking as a public person in these categories, the Early Church saw in Pilate a man who was making statements that had meaning far beyond what he himself intended. [00:04:23]
And so these dual statements of Pilate, number one, "I find no fault in the man." Now I want to ask for a moment why do you suppose Pilate said that? Pilate said that because he didn't find any fault in the man. And the reason he didn't find any fault in the man that he had just interrogated is because there was no fault to be found. [00:07:53]
Behold the man. And I speak particularly today to men who are looking for role models, who are looking for heroes, who are suffering some kind of identity crisis with their own masculinity. If you want to find out what it means to be a man in the fullest sense of the word, listen to Pontius Pilate when he says, "Ecce homo. Behold the man." [00:08:15]
Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight so that I should not be delivered to the Jews, but now my kingdom is not from here." That's a fascinating reply that Jesus makes. The first thing he says is, "You are thinking in the wrong categories Pilate." [00:11:06]
Jesus said, "For this reason have I come into the world to bear witness to the Truth. That's what I'm about Pontius Pilate. My mission is not to bring peace. My mission is not to bring unity. My mission is to bring truth, to speak the Truth, to act the Truth, to do the Truth, and to tell the Truth." [00:14:56]
Pilate now responds with the famous query, "What is truth?" Here is where we are at a disadvantage. The Bible doesn't tell us anything about his facial expression, his gestures, or the tone of voice when he asked that question. Was it sarcastic? Was it cynical? Did he say look at Jesus, smug and say, "Truth, huh, what's truth?" [00:18:54]
The great irony, of course, of this encounter, this face to face meeting, is that what Pilate didn't know at that moment was that he was standing face to face with Truth. He hadn't heard Jesus' words that Jesus had spoken just the night before. "I am the Truth." Jesus was the very incarnation of truth. [00:19:34]
I'd like to ask you, how important is truth to you? As part of our American history and heroism of the revolution to extol the virtues of men like Patrick Henry, who stood up and gave stirring speeches like, "Give me liberty or give me death." That phrase stirs the souls of patriots, but it's a stirring of the soul of a person who is committed to a nation, to a political system, to something of this world. [00:21:20]
Nations come and go, but the truth of God abides forever. We need Christians today who will stand up and say, give me truth, or give me death. Because, and on the pages of scripture, we understand that truth is sacred. Truth is something that comes from God. Truth is holy truth is worth fighting for. Truth is worth dying for. [00:22:00]
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