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From Heaven With Love
Pilate Convinced of a Plot
Pilate did not believe that the prisoner had plotted against the
government. He was convinced that a deep plot had been laid to
destroy an innocent man. Turning to Jesus he asked, “Art Thou the
King of the Jews?” The Saviour answered, “Thou sayest it.” And as
He spoke, His countenance lighted up as if a sunbeam were shining
on it.
When they heard His answer, Caiaphas called Pilate to witness
that Jesus had admitted the crime with which He was charged. Pilate
said, “Answerest Thou nothing? behold how many things they
witness against Thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing.”
Standing behind Pilate, in view of all in the court, Christ heard
the abuse; but to all the false charges He answered not a word. He
stood unmoved by the fury of the waves that beat about Him. It was
as if the heavy surges of wrath, rising like the waves of the ocean,
broke about Him but did not touch Him. His silence was as a light
shining from the inner to the outer man.
Pilate was astonished. Does this Man not care to save His life?
As he looked at Jesus, he felt that He could not be as unrighteous
as were the clamoring priests. To escape the tumult of the crowd,
Pilate took Jesus aside and again questioned, “Art Thou the King of
the Jews?”
Jesus did not directly answer. The Holy Spirit was striving with
Pilate, and He gave him opportunity to acknowledge his conviction.
“Sayest thou this thing of thyself,” He asked, “or did others tell it
thee of Me?” Pilate understood Christ’s meaning, but he would not
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acknowledge the conviction that pressed upon him. “Am I a Jew?”
he said. “Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered Thee
unto me; what hast Thou done?”
Jesus Tries to Save Pilate
Jesus did not leave Pilate without further light. He gave him to
understand that He was not seeking an earthly throne.
“My kingdom is not of this world,” He said; “if My kingdom
were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be
delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence. Pilate