Matthew 27:11-26 … Following illegal, nightlong maneuvering to find charges that might lead to a legal execution of Jesus, the religious rulers delivered Jesus to Pontius Pilate early that morning. Pilate was the appointed Roman governor who had the authority to conduct a Roman trial that would result in execution. The Jewish leaders must have arranged the trial with Pilate during the night because, owing to the Passover observance, a Roman trial at this time would not have been scheduled. The calculating conspiracy is evident throughout this story (see Matthew 27:20 for an example).
Each of the four Gospels records the trial, and Matthew’s account is the briefest of these. Each of the Gospels provides additional perspective regarding the maneuvering. They tell us of Pilate’s attempts to first avoid a decision and then his final, futile attempt to exonerate himself from responsibility for a crucifixion that he alone could authorize. This is a sorry story of rejection of salvation that only Christ can bring—rejection by the religious rulers, by the malleable crowds, and by the Roman governor Pilate.
Widespread rejection of the Savior is evident in these historical events of the Passover in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. And today we continue to see rejection of the Savior. The most important question for anyone is the one asked by Pilate in Matthew 27:22: “What shall I do then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” That question is a motivation for evangelism and for sharing the good news of Jesus with everyone possible.
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