On Trial Before Pilate. Mark 1:1-5.
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.”And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.”But Jesus made no further answer so that Pilate was amazed.
Dear Holy Nation,
Morning came and with it the desire to conclude the matter concerning Jesus. Having decided that Jesus was guilty, it was time to prove it.
Arraigned (v. 1) . After consultations between the different parties in the Sanhedrin, it was decided that Jesus should be brought before Pilate, the Roman governor. The sentence of death passed by the Sanhedrin had to be argued before him and he would decide whether it was acceptable, according to Roman law.
Accused (v. 2-3). The chief priests accused Jesus of many things, but of interest to Pilate was the accusation that Jesus had claimed to be king. It was not necessarily treason for one to claim to be king. The Romans as colonizers and imperialists often used the kings of conquered nations as vassals. Only if a “king” was insurrectionist would the Romans take action, so this accusation was of political interest to Pilate and had no legal implications. This explains why he did not react when Jesus admitted that he was king, as Pilate had stated.
Amazed (v. 4-5). Pilate had presided over many trials and had come to expect accused persons to plead their case desperately. That Jesus did not answer the accusations was highly unusual, even when the charges were clearly trumped up. There was no desperation in Jesus because he was fully yielded to the will of God. No fear of death, because his unjust death would justify those who believed in him. What is your response to false accusations? And while we are at it, have you been justified through repentance and faith in Jesus?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.