Having listened to the nature of the accusation, Pilate went into the Praetorium to ask the accused a few questions. Jesus stood silent, appearing to acquiesce to the condemnation of his own people evidenced by his lack of self-defense. Pilate assessed the appearance of one who, according to the religious leaders, made a bold claim. “So, are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus’ eyes engaged his questioner. “It is as you say.” Moving toward the doorway, Pilate objected. “And yet do you not hear them – Your own nation and chief priests are calling for your death.” Knowing that the charges were unwarranted, Pilate despised being deprived of information necessary to silence the demands of these Jewish holy men. This was not how he had intended to start the day. Insistent upon some sort of response, Pilate got in Jesus’ face. “What have you done?”
Blind to the truth of the providential role he was fulfilling, Pilate was oblivious to the presence of the Son of God, the One by whom all things were created. In obedience to His Father, Jesus humbled Himself taking on the form of a servant in the likeness of man. Coincident with the Passover celebration, here stood the unblemished lamb prepared to face the most agonizing and tormenting moment in all of history – to become sin, rejected by His Father. Soon the words of abandonment would flow from His mouth, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me”. Innocent of any wrongdoing, having perfectly obeyed the Law, the incarnate Son of God was uniquely qualified to serve as the true Passover lamb. Sacrificed on the altar, His precious blood covering the doorposts of the hearts of sinful man, Jesus Christ would be the atonement for all who by faith believed in Him.
Are we not moved to a rhetorical tone, shouting out to our Lord, “What have you done?” Such an expression of love, mercy, grace, and kindness toward those deserving death – an ineffable gift. How do we trend toward apathy regarding so great a salvation, having been rescued from the domain of darkness and brought to the light of Christ for all eternity? What we could never do has been done on our behalf. The call to be a disciple, to deny ourself, and to seek Him with a loyal and committed heart should be our greatest desire even as God the Father draws us to Himself. Filled with hope based on His perfect work, we sing praise to the only true God for what He has done!
Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?”
John 18:35
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