Introduction

By Jill Reese

Pilate is characterized as an evil person in the history of Christianity because he is the one who delivered Jesus to be crucified. Although our actions will probably not be written in history for all to hear about…we are more like Pilate than we would like to think.

Questions for Discussion

1. When was a time that you tried to ‘pass the buck’? How did it turn out?

2. Think of a specific time you listened to your conscience. What was the outcome? Think of a specific time you ignored your conscience. What happened?

3. What situations do you find yourself in that make you want to ‘follow the crowd’ instead of doing what is right?

4. Look at the three things below that Pilate did and consider if you are really different.

a. Pilate tried to pass the buck to others so that he didn’t have to make a decision.

‘On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.’ Luke 23:6-7

i. Parents, do you do that to your spouse when you don’t want to be the ‘bad guy’ to your children?

ii. Do you at work blame decisions on your boss?

iii. Do you at church blame things on the elders or preachers?

b. Pilate refused to listen to and follow his conscience.

‘Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.’ Luke 23:13-14

‘Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again.’ Luke 23:20

‘For the third time he spoke to them: ‘Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him punished and then release him.’ Luke 23:22

i. We talk about believing that God’s Holy Spirit lives in us and guides us. Yet, how often when nudged to do or not do something, do we ignore the prompting?

ii. Pilate knew the correct thing to do, but he failed to listen. He even went as far as to try and absolve himself of the guilt.

‘When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood,’ he said. ‘It is your responsibility!’ Matthew 27:24

c. Pilate was too concerned with pleasing the crowd around him.

‘Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ For the third time he spoke to them: ‘Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him punished and then release him.’ But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So, Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.’ Luke 23:20-25

i. We need to constantly ask ourselves what we feel pressured to do by the people we are around.

ii. Peer pressure can be both positive and negative. How do we exert positive pressure on those within our influence?

5. Which of the three circumstances above do you most easily relate to? What can you do to guard against falling into sin when confronted in one of these ways?