God writes the endings…

Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will. (Luke 23:20–25)

While no one is innocent except Jesus, Pilate was willing to put Him to death for his own selfish gain. He didn’t want to lose his position. Such is the power of sin.

We watched a television series about a very popular police woman who rose to a top position because she was good at her job. But she was also willing to kill anyone who stood in her way. She did it in such a way that others took the blame until finally she was discovered, arrested, and charged for her evil ways.

This fiction story makes me wonder what happened to Pilate. History gives no definite story. He did govern Judea for a few more years, but used violence against Samaritans and was charged then exiled. After that, various groups created legends from regret, to suicide, to an eventual conversion with honor. Only God knows his final destiny.

The TV story ended with the police woman in a jail cell and with me relieved at justice accomplished. I could not imagine this fictional woman becoming a Christian. What does that say about loving my enemies? If this story had been real, I may have wanted her crucified, maybe forgetting or ignoring the fact that Jesus had already taken that punishment in her place. 

As hubby and I discussed it, and the sermon from Sunday about Jonah’s hate for the Ninevites, we agreed how challenging it is to pray for the Pilates of this world. At least Pilate realized that Jesus was not worthy of death. Today’s truants seem to have no idea about fair play, justice, or the daily stresses of life for ordinary people. Like the police woman in the fiction story, whoever gets in their way or opposes what they are doing is in grave danger. Some lose their jobs. Some mysteriously die or simply disappear.

When it comes down to innocence, we cannot say that any person is without guilt, at least before God. If He gave me what I deserve, I would not be here. But His love and mercy is why Jesus didn’t try to fool Pilate or the Pharisees; He spoke truth and died for the whole world, including me.  

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9–11)

Pilate did wrong to crucify the innocent Son of God, but “this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” (Acts 2:23–24)

God used this sinful decision of Pilate just as God knew He would, then raised Him from the dead — eternal life cannot die — so I (and Pilate) could be forgiven and receive that forever life.

Jesus, as Your redeemed child, being put to death by Your enemies could be the way You take me home. Fearing death is not the end, only a doorway. The Pilates of this world may win for a while in life or in fiction, but their story also has an ending. All of us, saints or stubborn rejectors, will wind up where You want us to be.