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Christ’s Trial Before the Roman Governor
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By choosing a heathen ruler, the Jewish nation rejected God as
their king. From then on they had no king but Caesar. The priests
and teachers had led the people to this. They were responsible for
this, with all the fearful results that followed. A nation’s sin and a
nation’s ruin were due to the religious leaders.
“When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that
a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the
multitude, saying, ‘I am innocent of the blood of this just Person.
You see to it.’ “ Pilate looked at the Savior and said in his heart, “He
is a God.” Turning to the multitude he declared, “I am clear of His
blood. Crucify Him, but I pronounce Him a just Man. May the One
whom He claims as His Father judge you and not me for this day’s
work.” Then to Jesus he said, “Forgive me for this act; I cannot save
You.” And when he had scourged Jesus again, He delivered Him to
be crucified.
Pilate longed to deliver Jesus, but he saw that he could not do
this and still keep his own position. Rather than lose his worldly
power, he chose to sacrifice an innocent life. How many similarly
sacrifice principle! Conscience and duty point one way and self-
interest another. The current goes in the wrong direction, and anyone
who compromises with evil is swept away into the thick darkness of
guilt.
But in spite of his precautions, the very thing Pilate dreaded
happened to him. He was deposed from his high office and, stung by
remorse and wounded pride, not long after the Crucifixion he ended
his own life.
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When Pilate declared himself innocent of the blood of Christ, Ca-
iaphas answered defiantly, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
The mob echoed the awful words in an inhuman roar of voices. The
whole crowd said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
The people of Israel had made their choice—Barabbas, the rob-
ber and murderer, the representative of Satan. Christ, the representa-
tive of God, they rejected. In making this choice they accepted the
one who from the beginning was a liar and a murderer. Satan was
their leader. His rule they must endure.
The Jews had shouted, “His blood be on us and on our chil-
dren.” That prayer was heard. The blood of the Son of God was
on their children and their children’s children. Terribly was the