Pilate was powerful and strong-minded; but he was also weak and afraid. He feared for his job, his reputation and his life. His weakest point was fear of punishment by Caesar. The religious people took full advantage of that, especially when they heard that Jesus had told Pilate that He was the King of the Jews (John 18:37). They certainly did not want Him as their King; however to claim to be a king, on Caesar’s territory, was treason – an offence punishable by death.
What a good solution, they thought! It would be legal with the Roman authorities and would achieve their objective of getting rid of Jesus. Then they would retain their unquestioned religious power and the Romans would feel that they had been cooperative in exposing treason. But the religious people had forgotten that God was the King of Israel, and that their plotting had exposed them as being faithless and ruthless (Romans 1:31-32). Pilate’s weak point and their weak characters found a meeting place in the death of Jesus, and blinded their eyes to the long term consequences.
However strong we may be, physically or mentally, we all have weak places where evil desires can lurk. Then, when the opportunity comes, thoughts can turn into action, and Satan’s temptation is effective in bringing destruction (James 1:14-15). The wise person will not boast of strength but instead will identify the weak areas which are most at risk of being targeted by temptation. Failure to recognise weakness or to prevent it being exploited is so unwise.
The Weak Point Of The Strong Man
John 19:12-16
From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar." When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. "Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" "Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered. Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. (NIV)
Prayer
Powerful God. Thank You for always being ahead of every human thought: You were not surprised by the plotting of wicked people against Jesus. Please forgive me for those times when I allow my weaknesses to be exploited in order to achieve my own desires, and I do not care about honouring You. Please help me to grow strong as I put Your Word into practice each day, protecting my areas of weakness and keeping me from foolish pride. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Bible Book
© Dr Paul Adams
