DCLM HIGHER EVERYDAY 18 September 2022 — The personality of Pilate
DCLM Higher Everyday 18 September 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The personality of Pilate
TOPIC: THE PERSONALITY OF PILATE
TEXT: MATTHEW 27:7-24
7And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.
8Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
9Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
10And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.
11And 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.
12And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
13Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
14And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
15Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
16And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
17Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
18For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
19When 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.
20But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
21The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
22Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
23And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
24When 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.
MEMORY VERSE: “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?” (MATTHEW 27:17).
MESSAGE:
According to Ben Lindsey, “Pontius Pilate was the first censor and Jesus Christ the first great victim of censorship.” As Bible students, we already know that Pontius Pilate, the fifth governor of the Roman province of Judaea, was the official who presided over the trial of Jesus and later condemned Him to death and ordered His crucifixion after washing his hands. He is known as one of the most controversial and mysterious figures in human history.
Also Read: DCLM Higher Everyday 17 September 2022 — God’s word as lamp
From his action, Pontius Pilate is seen not only as a man full of intrigues but also as a leader who was cruel, ruthless, hypocritical and knew how to do his dirty job. The Roman governor was also seen as a wavering judge, who initially exonerated Jesus before deviating from his original fairness and bending to the will of the crowd to condemn Him to death. Pilate knew of Jesus’ reputation and miracles, which is why His earlier decision was that Jesus was not a common criminal. But he suddenly turned and asked Jesus, the truth personified: “What is truth?” Do not twist the truth but uphold it.
QUOTE: Do not twist the truth.
CHALLENGE: As a leader, take a firm decision.
PRAYER: Lord, deliver me from Pilate’s spirit.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
