PILATE WASHED HIS HANDS

MATTHEW 27:2

A. "PILATE . . . TOOK WATER, AND WASHED HIS HANDS BEFORE THE MULTITUDE, SAYING, I AM INNOCENT OF THE BLOOD OF THIS JUST PERSON: SEE YE TO IT."
  1. This was, without question, Pilate's most important decision he ever made, as governor, over Jesus:
    1. He passed judgment upon the Judge of the universe - Acts 10:42; Gen. 18:25
    2. His judgment was, in fact, a miscarriage of justice in the highest degree.
  2. Our opening text embodies a number of very valuable points, worthy of our prayerful consideration:
B. PILATE WASHING HIS HANDS REVEALS THREE SPECIFIC FACTS ABOUT WRONGDOING
  1. The vain plea for wrongdoing:
    1. He knew that the sentence he gave was a miscarriage of justice.
    2. He had been forewarned by God against doing what he did - Matt. 27:18
    3. He knew that the Jews sought the life of the Son of God because of envy - Matt. 27:19
  2. His decision to deliver the Son of God into the hands of His enemies was based upon pure selfishness:
    1. It was based upon seeking the favor of the Jews, regardless of the injustice; but in doing what he did, he lost the favor of the Jews.
    2. No man can force us to do wrong at any time. The Jews had neither right nor power to cause Pilate to betray an innocent person to be killed.
  3. Note, please, the possibility of self-deception:
    1. Pilate had persuaded himself to believe that he was free from the blood of the Son of God, by the ceremony of washing his hands.
    2. He had blinded himself to the fact that some day God will bring into review the miscarriage of justice in Pilate's judgment hall.
    3. All in all, the act of Pilate shows that one can persuade himself to believe that under certain conditions wrong is right and evil is good.
C. BUT THE ACT OF PILATE AND HIS EXCUSES FOR THAT ACT REVEAL TO US
  1. The utter impossibility to wriggle out of our personal responsibility:
    1. He washed his hands but not his heart.
    2. History will mark him as a coward, a murderer, and a charlatan of justice.
  2. Shifting the blame on others was not, however, Pilate's exclusive gift:
    1. Adam blamed God for giving him Eve - Gen. 3:12
    2. Saul blamed the people for sparing the king and the cattle - 1 Sam. 15:15
    3. How often are we tempted to blame others for our wrong doing!
  3. When we look deeper into Pilate's washing his hands, claiming innocence, we learn:
    1. He revealed an inherent weakness in his person to act out his own convictions.
    2. Had the Jews been less persistent in their demands, he might have set the Son of God free.
    3. But God, who foreordained that His Son should take the cup that rightfully belonged to us, allowed Pilate to become one of the chief actors in the crime of the ages.
  4. Yes, a person may ceremoniously wash his hands, but he is powerless to wash away the sins in his heart:
    1. The Pharisees and Scribes were masters in this art - Matt. 23:25, 26
    2. There are many among God's people who follow the same practice, "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" 2 Tim. 3:5
  5. Friends of mine, what would you have done, had you been in Pilate's place?
    1. Would you have stood up for justice, regardless of the opinion of the Jews?
    2. Would you have shown to the world that when you assumed the responsibility to uphold justice, you would do so at all times?
    3. Well the answer can be found in your attitude! Do you accept or do you reject the Son of God, who died for you?


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