What Can We Learn From Pilate? (PM Lesson Outline)
Note: This is an outline. This is only an outline. ☺
GIST: Two points: 1. We can’t be neutral toward Jesus. 2. We can’t serve both God and people equally.
SCRIPTURE: Mark 15:1-15
1 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. 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
6 Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked.7 And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. 8 And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. 9 And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. 12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Tonight we’re going to spend just a few minutes looking at one of the most infamous moments in human history. Pilate will be forever remembered as the Roman official who sentenced Jesus to be crucified...and probably won’t ever be known for anything else. Like this morning, we’ll walk through the trial and then take two points as application. In true economic fashion, those points are also our gist for this evening: 1. We can’t be neutral toward Jesus. 2. We can’t serve both God and people equally.
I. A Little Background
Pilate Was Out Of Favor With The Jewish People. Recent events had challenged Pilate’s authority. The result was a mutual dislike and distrust. He was a power hungry man whose power was unstable at this point.
The Religious Elite Were Only There Out Of Necessity. It’s also interesting to note that only recently had the Jews lost the authority to use capital punishment. That is why they had to appeal to the Romans to kill Jesus. Otherwise, Jesus would have been stoned instead of crucified. So, this whole affair reeks of political instability.
“You’re Right In Saying That”. Like this morning, the only time Jesus actually answers Pilate in this passage is when legitimate charges were brought toward Him: 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” This response was a vernacular expression that implied, “you’re right to say that”. Jesus wasn’t dodging the answer here. Furthermore, in John 18:35-37, Jesus specifically explains to Pilate what His kingdom is like.
Pilate Picks Up On The Real Intentions. Look at verses 10 and 14. He sees through this facade. He knows the Pharisees are acting out of jealousy. This, however, doesn’t somehow excuse him. If anything, it makes his action all the more reprehensible. Though he did not fully understand the truth, he was starting to see it and still chose his reputation over truth.
Release of Barabbas. There are two points to observe here. 1. This is an attempt to dodge responsibility. If he can get the people to request Jesus’ release, then he doesn’t have to make the decision he knows he should make, but is too afraid to follow through with. 2. This illustrates the choice of a political messiah instead of the real spiritual one! Barabbas was a zealot. He was trying to overthrow Rome by force.
II. What are you doing with Jesus?
12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?”
Neutrality: The Major Perspective In Our Community. The major stance toward Jesus in our community is not overt hostility, but rather a facade of neutrality. “I don’t hate Jesus; I just don’t want anything to do with Him.”
Can’t Be Neutral. Remember the O’Connor quote from this morning? You have to deal with Jesus. He claimed to be God in the flesh and the only way to Heaven. There is no room for neutrality. James 4:4 “4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
III. Who are you trying to satisfy?
15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
All throughout my study of Mark, this line has really hit me. It could be in part because the audio Bible I listen to while I exercise emphasizes this line☺, but the content is also incredibly striking.
You Can’t Serve Two Masters. Matthew 6:24 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Pilate gives Jesus over to satisfy the crowd. I’m not going to beat around the bush here. Who are you trying to satisfy, God or people?
What Pilate Misses. When I taught the youth through the book of John and we came to this parallel passage, I pointed out that because of his rejection of Jesus, Pilate missed out on some pretty key points. Tonight, I just want to commend them to you for further study. In his pursuit of selfish glory, Pilate missed on the following about Jesus:
1. His Kingdom (John 18:33-40)
2. His Mission (John 19:1-5)
3. His Majesty (John 19:6-11)
4. His Salvation (John 19:12-17)
I pray we don’t do the same.
TAKEAWAYS
1. We can’t be neutral toward Jesus.
2. We can’t serve both God and people equally.
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