Introduction

Every five years here in the UK, the people are invited and encouraged to vote for their local political leader. The political party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons at a general election usually forms the new government. Its leader becomes Prime Minister.

This is a great demonstration of democracy, where people can have their say about who runs the country simply by voting. We must note if people don’t vote, they don’t really have a right to complain about our government. What we should be doing is praying for our governmental leaders, Romans 13:1-5 / 1 Timothy 2:1-2 / Titus 3:1 / 1 Peter 2:13.

The build-up to election day is always exciting as each of the political leaders share their manifestos with the country. This is a time when decisions are made, and the people need to make up their minds about which party they want to lead the country.

What do you look for in a leader?

What would they need to have in their manifesto to win your vote?

In much the same way, when we share the manifesto of Jesus with others, people will need to make their minds up concerning Jesus and the question which Pilate asked the people in his day, still remains today.

“What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews? Pilate asked them.” Mark 15:12

Jesus’ manifesto includes the forgiveness of sins, Acts 2:38 / 1 John 1:9, new life, 2 Corinthians 5:17 / Romans 6:5-11 / Ephesians 4:22-24. It includes the Holy Spirit as a gift, Acts 2:38, and comforter, John 14:16, and heaven, John 14:2 / Revelation 21:4.

He demands a total commitment to God and His ways, Mark 12:30-31 / John 14:15, and tells us that life will become difficult if we choose Him, Matthew 7:13-14 / John 16:33.

Does Jesus’ manifesto have any appeals for you? If so, what are they?

What don’t you like about His manifesto?

Whilst most politicians promise the ‘earth’ to the masses, but barely deliver on their promises, what is the difference between manmade manifestos and Jesus’ manifesto?

As in any election, there’s not a lot of choice between different parties but people still have a choice. Today people still have a choice concerning Jesus, they can vote against Him like Herod did at His birth, Matthew 2:16-18, and they can vote against Him as they did when Pilate asked the question, concerning what he should do with Jesus, the King of the Jews, Mark 15:12, they could respond by shouting, “Crucify him!” Mark 15:13-14.

It seems that Pilate was a man who valued justice and we reach that conclusion by the very fact that three different times, he publicly declared that Jesus was innocent, Luke 23:22.

He knew that releasing Jesus would not please the crowd. So, he tried to please the mob with a series of four cowardly compromises. Giving them what they wanted, without this whole fiasco turning into a gross miscarriage of justice.

1. First, he packed Jesus off to Herod, claiming that Galilee was Herod’s responsibility. However, Herod sent Jesus back, Luke 23:6-12.

2. Secondly, he decided to compare Jesus with a gangster. Believing that the mob wouldn’t want a violent thug released to them. It didn’t work. The mob chose Barabbas, Mark 15:1-14.

3. Thirdly, he decides he’ll have Jesus flogged within an inch of his death and that’ll come close to the real thing and satisfy the mob, Mark 15:15.

4. Fourthly the thing he did, with great pomp and ceremony. He had a bowl of water brought to him and washing his hands, he told the mob that he wanted nothing to do with killing Jesus, it was going to be the crowd’s choice and the crowd accepted the responsibility, Matthew 27:24-25.

Every attempt he was trying to make to avoid sentencing Jesus failed. And then the Jewish leaders said something that sealed it, they said if he didn’t crucify Jesus, then he would be no friend of Caesar, John 19:12.

From that point forward, Pilate drops all this business about Jesus being innocent. Pilate tried to avoid sentencing Jesus to death, but Pilate’s downfall was that he was also a consummate politician.

He was afraid that word would get back to Caesar that he was not a loyal governor. He was afraid that word would get to his peers that he was a weak governor. He was afraid, the people would become restless and revolt against him. He feared the wrong person, Matthew 10:28.

What were some of the reasons people voted against Jesus in His day? Matthew 13:13 / John 9:22 / John 12:36-43.

What are some reasons why people choose to vote against Jesus today?

What are the eternal consequences of voting against Jesus? Matthew 5:22 / Matthew 5:29-30 / Matthew 18:9 / Mark 9:43-47 / Matthew 23:15 / Matthew 23:33 / 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9.

As I mentioned earlier many people refuse to vote or simply don’t want to vote. They become like Pilate and try to wash their hands with Jesus and accept the responsibility for doing so, Matthew 27:24-25. People can’t have it both ways, they have to choose whom they will serve, Matthew 6:24.

How did the Pharisees and the Herodians vote, concerning Jesus? Matthew 22:15-22.

How did the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders vote, concerning Jesus? Matthew 27:41-43.

How did the soldiers at the foot of the cross vote concerning Jesus? John 19:23-24.

How did the Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus vote, concerning Jesus? John 19:38-42.

How did the Roman centurion vote, concerning Jesus? Matthew 27:54 / Luke 23:47.

How did one of the thieves of the cross vote, concerning Jesus, Luke 23:42-43?

Conclusion

When Pilate put the vote to the people concerning Jesus, Mark 15:12, the crowd were easily persuaded by the chief priests and the elders, Matthew 27:20.

Will you allow others to persuade you to vote against Jesus?

Will you allow a mob mentality to stop you from following Him?

Isn’t Jesus’ manifesto more appealing than any earthly politician’s?

Don’t allow anyone to get in the way of you and your eternal salvation with Jesus, John 3:16-18.