No crime in Christ.
Pilate's language and conduct furnish us with an example of the way in which weak and unprincipled men are wont to allow themselves to be guided by the expected consequences of their actions, instead of referring those actions to principles and laws by which they might decide what is the right course to follow. Often, as in the case of Pilate, where the results of actions are more regarded than their standards, men's convictions lead in one direction, whilst their practical conduct follows another and inferior path.
I. THE IMMEDIATE AND HISTORICAL LESSONS DEDUCIBLE FROM THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PILATE.
1. With reference to the governor himself who thus spoke, we infer from this language his judicial impartiality. Accustomed to such examinations as that he was now conducting, he saw at once through the motives of the accusers, and recognized the absurdity of their charges and the innocence of the Accused. This was to the credit of his intelligence; but his clear perception of the merits of the case makes his guilt the greater in yielding to the malice of the priests and the passion of the populace.
2. This language testifies to the sinful and malicious conduct of Christ's enemies. Pilate was ready enough to see matters as they were seen by the influential class among the Jews. But the case was so flagrant a case of groundless hatred and false accusation, that it was impossible that Pilate should be blinded to the truth. What the governor said was literally true—there was no crime in Jesus.
3. We are justified in accepting this witness to the character of our Lord. As Christians we believe, indeed, far more than the Savior's innocence of the crime of civil insurrection. But we are at liberty to take this evidence, and to require its acceptance by all students of Christ's character and claims. If the historical inquirer will go no further, we may justly expect him to grant that the charge upon which our Lord was put to death was a charge utterly groundless.
II. THE GENERAL AND RELIGIOUS LESSONS DEDUCIBLE FROM THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PILATE.
1. It harmonizes with the declarations of Scripture concerning the blamelessness and sinlessness of Jesus.
2. It suggests the inquiry why one so blameless should endure such undeserved ignominy and suffering. It is plain from the narrative that Jesus might have avoided what, as a matter of fact, he consented to undergo. There was a reason for this—a reason to be found in the Divine purposes regarding the salvation of sinful men. His qualifications are such as fit him for his mighty and merciful office, as the sinless Savior of a sinful race.—T.
HOMILIES BY B. THOMAS