Jesus Son of God

Jesus Son of God. Pilate did not like seeing an innocent man die, but, then, Jesus was just a man! Pilate's attitude was about to change. The Jewish leaders pushed Pilate to order the death penalty.

7. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

8. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

9. And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

10. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

11. Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

12. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

John 20:7-12, King James Version

Jesus Son of God

In our last devotion, we left Pilate feeling rather smug; he did not like seeing an innocent man die, but, then, Jesus was just a man! Pilate's attitude was about to change. The Jewish leaders pushed Pilate to order the death penalty.

We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

What? Jesus Son of God! Pilate now knew a fear he had never known before this time. What if Jesus really was the Son of God? What would that mean for Pilate?

Pilate hurried into the judgment hall to speak to Jesus, asking, "Whence art thou?" In other words, "Where are you from?"

Jesus answered not a word!

Pilate said, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

Jesus words left Pilate feeling cold and afraid. "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin."

From this time on, Pilate sought to have Jesus released.

The Jews would not hear of it, threatening to accuse him before Caesar, saying, "If you make the King of the Jews your friend, then you are no longer a friend of the true king, Caesar."

Today we would call that: being between a rock and as hard place.

Of course, we know the rest of the story. We know that Pilate caved to the wishes of the Jewish leaders.

Do we ever feel ourselves caught between a rock and a hard place in our Christian lives? Do we ever feel pressure to serve the world rather than the Jesus Son of God? Oh yes, that is a part of living in this world, is it not? The true question is: how do you respond?

Let us pray that God would grant us a heart so in love with Him, that nothing in this world can ever again tempt us to deny our very Lord who saved us!

Next: Behold Your King, verses 12-16