ACCEPT DO NOT REJECT
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And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Introduction:
Man sends himself to hell by rejecting God’s plan of salvation.
I. PONTIUS PILATE REJECTED THE LORD JESUS ALTHOUGH HE HAD TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITIES OF DOING OTHERWISE
Few men have had a more unique opportunity of welcoming Christ into their heart and life. How many people there are who have had many opportunities of accepting Christ, but like Pilate they have neglected the opportunity and they have refused and rejected Him!
II. PONTIUS PILATE REJECTED THE LORD JESUS KNOWING FULL WELL THAT HE WAS DOING WRONG
He did not reject Him in ignorance, not knowing Who He was. He was convinced that He was innocent—Luke 23:4. More than that, Pilate believed He was King or the Jews—John 19:15 and 19-22.
III. PONTIUS PILATE REJECTED THE LORD JESUS ALTHOUGH HE WAS ENTREATED AND WARNED NOT TO DO SO BY HIS LOVED-ONE
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
Maybe there are those around your life who are pleading with you to become a Christian? The tragedy is that Pilate still rejected the Lord Jesus although his loved one appealed to him not to do so.
IV. PONTIUS PILATE REJECTED THE LORD JESUS AND THOUGHT THAT IN DOING SO HE HAD GOT RID OF HIM
First he sent Him to the Jews to be tried, and then to Herod. Then Pilate thought, "If I scourge Him, that will satisfy the crowd." But that would not do, so he offered to release Him. Finally, "he delivered Him to be crucified," and washed his hands of the whole matter.
V. PONTIUS PILATE REJECTED THE LORD JESUS FOR UNWORTHY REASONS
What were the reasons that motivated Pilate? The first was love of position. Another reason was the fear of man. He lacked the courage of his convictions, and in this respect this story is absolutely up-to-date. What a snare the fear of man is—
The fear of man bringeth a snare:
But whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.