Are we truly on Jesus’ side?

In reading Matthew 27, I do not in any way want to diminish the importance and the power of the account of the crucifixion (Matthew 27:32-56). Please read this account and meditate on it! However, I am always struck by the account of Pilate’s interaction with Jesus (Matthew 27:11-26), and I wanted to focus on that.

Matthew 27:11-26

V.14 Pilate was amazed

We can be amazed by Jesus…yet not respond to his call

Mark 6:20f - Herod amazed but had John killed

The Crowds: The Crowds were often amazed by Jesus, yet turned against him.

• Matthew 13:53-58

• Luke 4:14-30

• John 7:14-20

We are all at one time or another—amazed by Jesus—his perseverance, compassion, righteousness, wisdom, servant’s heart, submission to the father, integrity. How do I react when his word convicts me? Does my amazement result in a tender, humble heart? Does it lead me to proclaim his word? Or does it fizzle and fade into apathy? Does it spur me to imitate him?

We cannot straddle the fence; we are either with Jesus or against him. (Matthew 12:30)

Pilate wanted to be neutral in this situation. He even washed his hands to show his neutrality. His wife Claudia warned him in v. 19 “have nothing to do with this innocent man” (Jn 18:33-38). Pilate knows of the false pretenses of Jesus’s accusation, yet fails to stand for the truth.

There is always a cost to standing up for God’s truth.

Do I stand up for the truth? Pilate had much to lose in this world if he absolved Jesus—and it was within his power to do so!—yet he had so much to gain in eternity, and let it go. What am I willing to sacrifice to stand up for God’s truth, for the Gospel? Do I get excited about my relationship with God, my quiet times, my worship (amazed)…yet choose to avoid sharing my faith, speaking up against sin and injustice, and standing up for Jesus?