Jesus' Death Crossroads: Pointing others to God

John 18:33-37 | Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him. Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”

• How was Jesus’ second trial (with Pilate) a crossroad?

• What could Jesus have changed in this account so that He was released by Pilate instead of handed back over to the Jews for death?

• Jesus doesn’t defend himself to Pilate, instead, what does He tell Pilate? How was this making the most of the opportunity?

• Jesus had the chance here to exalt Himself but instead He exalts God. Have you ever been faced with this crossroad? What did you do?

As you read the end of Jesus’ time with Pilate, it is clear that Pilate and his wife knew Jesus was innocent. Pilate even tries to persuade the Jews to let Jesus go. This account with Jesus may have changed Pilate’s life!