~Like Pilate we are without excuse~
In Matthew 27 we are told that Pontius Pilate stood before Jesus to pass judgement. He had been brought to the governor of Judea by the Jewish high priest for trial. But right before Pilate passed judgement, he received a message from his wife.
"While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.” Matthew 27: 19
God Himself had sent a warning to Pilate. What Pilate decided to do with Jesus would be totally on him. He would have no excuse. His wife had warned him.
Used By God
What this passage tells us is that God can use people who do not know Him to warn us that we are making a mistake. It tells us that God can use even our dreams to speak to us. How will God use you? God gave Pilate's wife insight into things she knew nothing about. She called Jesus a "just Man", meaning someone morally upright and honest.
Pilate lived in a culture that believed that dreams were often ways that the "gods" spoke to people. He would have been inclined to believe that the dream was significant and yet he chose to ignore his wife.
Envy Brought Jesus To Pilate
When Pilate stood before the crowd and offered them the choice to free a prisoner, between Barabbas and Jesus, the Bible tells us that Pilate knew why the Jews had brought Jesus to him. Because of envy! "For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy." (Matthew 27: 18). Jesus had something the Pharisees wanted but did not have. Jesus had many followers and had performed many miracles - things the Pharisees could not do.
That Just Man
At the moment Pilate was about to offer a choice to the crowds, his wife approached with news of her dream. So Pilate knew that envy was the reason he had been handed over, not because of any real crime. And then his own wife told him that Jesus was a just Man. Pilate was without excuse.
"When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” Matthew 17:24
Pilate Blames Others
Pilate attempted to put the blame on others. He symbolically washed his hands of the situation and actually repeated his wife's very words. He called Jesus a "just" Person. But Pilate was weak. Fearing a revolt if he did not give into the crowd's wishes to release Barabbas, Pilate gave into their demands. Power was really Pilate's god. Pilate gave Jesus over to be crucified. Crucifixion was a Roman punishment. In spite of his words, Pilate was NOT innocent of the blood of Jesus.
Have We Been Warned?
How can we relate to Pilate? Have we been warned by God not to do something? Maybe even warned by someone who is not a Christian. I have. In our heart of hearts don't we see the thing we want to do is wrong, sinful, but choose to ignore that voice that says stop. Don't we look for others to blame for our choices just as Pilate did? We are no more innocent than Pilate. But because of Christ's death and resurrection we have the grace of Christ's love and forgiveness.
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
Enjoy this hymn, Dream of Pilate's Wife, here.
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