YG night 7/16

What did Tyler talk about last week?

Peter and his denials of Christ but also Peter reuniting with Christ on the shore when they were out fishing.

So after Jesus is before the Priests and Peter Denies Him, He is brought to Pontius Pilate because the Jews are hoping he will be killed as a false prophet.

What I want to talk about today is Jesus’ conversation with Pilate and how although Pilate saw no guilt in Christ he still Crucified him.

Ultimately how in our everyday lives when faced with decisions, we can “crucify Christ” even though we know his way is the truth.

First who is Pilate and why is he important to Jesus’ crucifixion?

Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea(the area that Jerusalem was in) who was the “judge” of all trials and decided the punishment for the guilty.

Now why is this important? As we continue in the chapter, Jesus has been brought to Pilate and he is currently being held in Pilates jail/holding cell.

Pilate goes back and forth with the Jewish leaders regarding what Jesus is guilty of. He tells them that they are to judge Christ according to their law. The jews tell him that they cannot kill him for being a false prophet because it is not in their law to take the life of another.

Legacy Standard Bible CHAPTER 18

Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this from yourself, or did others tell you about Me?”

35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what did You do?”

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be delivered over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not from here.”

37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You yourself said I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him.

39 “But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?”

40 So they cried out again, saying, “Not this man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber.

Okay so now Pilate has spoke to Jesus and finds him not guilty of any evildoing. Instead I believe he is starting to see who Christ is through this conversation and Christ confirms Pilates question of Jesus being a King.

Jesus actually doubles down on his statements and says “For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.”

He then approaches the Jewish leaders and states that he has found no guilt in Christ but gives them a choice.

Do I release Christ back to you or Barabbas who is a murderer and thief?

The Jewish Priest choose Barabbas to be released.

Okay so I have a couple questions that i want you guys to answer.

Why do you think Pilate did not release Jesus even though he found Him not guilty?

Social pressures

Does not want to risk his own status.

Fear of not following Rome or Jewish Laws.

2. How many of us have been faced with a similar situation as Pilate and chose to go with the crowd or group in fear of being judged or ruining our social status?

In other words how many of us have been in a situation where we know that what the group wants to do is wrong but we do it anyway because we don’t want to loose friends?

So what I want you guys to understand is that we all face similar trials and situations like Pilate did. All of us will at some point have to decide if we want to follow Christ or crucify him.

And what I mean by crucify Him, is every time we sin. Every time we choose the things of this world over our Savior, we are crucifying him just like Pilate did.

whether it be for social status or our own benefit we are sending him to the cross.

So I challenge you guys to stand firm in your faith. When the world is telling you that A B C is correct but you know Christ says D E F is correct. Stand firm in the truth and do not allow the world to tell you what and who to believe in.

Last question: What is the truth the way and the light?

Jesus and how do we practically seek the truth?

By reading the word, by praying to God/Christ, by putting our faith in Christ everyday and trusting that he is going to guide you.