Mark 15:1–2 (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.”
Blasphemy. Speaking sacrilegiously about sacred things. That was the charge. Of course God was an incredibly sacred thing, and He had, sort of, just claimed to be Him. At first the questions went unanswered, then an answer came. But after saying what He had to, from His mouth, there came no sound.
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.
Pilate didn’t know what to do. The charges seemed trumped up at best, completely unfounded and illegitimate. The Pharisees had brought Him not because He had committed wrongs against Rome, but rather because they refused to do anything themselves.
Passover. That was their excuse. A holy celebration, keeping them from getting blood on their hands – but the truth is, it already was. Pilate knew better than to believe them, but they raised a more convincing point, a rebellion might cost him his post, and he was living a life that he loved.
And so he asked again.
“They say you are the King of the Jews. Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.”
Now Pilate was getting mad. He was trying to help save the man, but He would not save Himself. But just then, the Governor was met with another plan.
Mark 15:6–8 (ESV) – Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them.
Surely THIS would work. Barabbas was a murderer. The worst of the worst. Being held for reasons that no one could condone. If he offered them this self proclaimed King instead of a killer, they would have no choice but to set Him free. Pilate’s wife has had a dream. Actually more of a nightmare, and she has sent him word. “Have nothing to do with this man.” But Pilate must do something, and so he gets to work;
Mark 15:9–11 (ESV) – And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead.
Pilate was stunned, but not surprised. After all he was aware that this was all some sort of stunt from the beginning. These people were pawns, merely playing a part, being pushed into a performance because of the insecurities of one person. He believed he knew the real reason it had come to this.
Envy. That was his answer. That was why they were here. The truth as to why this man stood before Him. Caiaphas wouldn’t have someone overtake his place and undermine his authority. He had waited his turn, played his part, and these were his moments. Moreover, the way the people looked at Jesus drove Caiaphas crazy.
They said He performed miracles. That He taught like no one they’d ever heard. He spoke of Heaven and eternity in ways that made them swoon. They said He raised someone from the dead. The High Priest was losing his flock, and he didn’t like it one bit. If this traveling itinerant preacher wanted his seat, the facts were simple, He needed to be gone.
And so as Pilate heard the cries of the very people this man had claimed to come for, he realized he had no other choice. He gave one last token effort, in an attempt to his hands clean;
Mark 15:12–14 (ESV) – And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.”
Dead. They wanted Him dead. Well at least one of them did, and that seemed to be enough. The mob had spoken, and if he wanted to remain, Pilate must relent. And so, with a twinge of doubt in his mind, and fear in his heart – he did just that.
Mark 15:15 (ESV) So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
The moment is here. The stage is set. An innocent man sentenced to die. Pilate believes it’s because of the envy of one man. But little does He know, there really are, a million reasons why.
