Pilate's Direct Question

The initials INRI represent the Latin inscription, Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum:

Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.

 Without introduction or ado, we want to learn more about what Pilate and the others present heard, when he asked Jesus this question. So Pilate asked Jesus, Are you the king of the Jews? Luke 23: 3a. The translation of the Bible which I often use, gives me this response. Yes, it is as you say. Luke 23:3b. In the KJV, it states. And he answered and said, Thou sayest it. In other words Jesus has just told Pilate in plain language, that He is the Messiah. Jesus has just admitted in front of His accusers – the high council of Jewish leaders and His judge – Pontius Pilate, that He is Messiah.

Will you listen to it in this way?

Before His Jewish people, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, His accusers and before Gentiles, Governor Pilate and all his assistants, Jesus professes His Sovereignty.

Before the hierarchy of religious Jewish law, the Sanhedrin, and the hierarchy of ruling Roman law, Pontius Pilate, and all others, Jesus confesses His Authority.

Before men of religious law, people who know about Messiah, but refuse to accept Jesus as Messiah, and men of Roman law, who do not necessarily know about Messiah and are willing to hear Jesus on it, Jesus announces His Deity.

Think about it, with a mind schooled by the Holy Spirit Himself, He who has come to lead us into all truth. When Pilate, a non-Jew asked Jesus the question about Him being Messiah, was not a non-Jew asking Jesus about His Divine Sovereignty, His Holy Divinity and His Heavenly Authority?

When you think that Jesus has confessed, professed, announced and told a non-Jew, a Gentile who He is, what is this saying to us about our Jesus, Messiah? Even now, is not Jesus willing to answer the questions of non-Christians who have heard of Him and wish to know more about Him?

Lord Jesus, thank You for grace. Amen!

Pilate hears what Jesus has boldly and openly stated, in no uncertain, shaky, weak, tentative terms either. He has seen the resoluteness of this prisoner to speak truth, in front of His accusers, without flinching in the least. He has seen a Man stand unmoved, unshaken, unrattled and unafraid, before His enemies who are bent on killing Him. The very manner of this accused, hated prisoner has certainly not escaped Pilate. 

Lord Jesus, make us more like You please. Amen!

You will agree with me that it is Pilate’s direct question to Jesus, which has brought Jesus’ direct response to him. This was one of the last times, if not the last and final occasion, Jesus has publicly spoken of Himself in this way, before He is Crucified. In the presence of His own, the Jews, to whom He came and who rejected Him outright, Jesus stands as Messiah.

How does this come to you? However it strikes you, I know that it has been as a stabbing dagger, cutting through all my self-righteousness, self-excusing, self-delusions and self-defending. Here is Jesus, at a time when His reputation, His work, His words and His very human life is at stake, yet He refuses to deny His Sovereignty, disown His Deity and disobey His Authority.

Yes, I am the King of the Jews. 

With all my heart, I believe that it is Jesus Himself and His honesty, sincerity and boldness in such a life-chilling situation that made Pilate constrained to write, such loud, bold words about a Jew whom he only just came to meet. In my heart of hearts, I believe that Pilate believed what Jesus had said to him. Yes, it is as you say. 

What about you? What is your belief?

I go even further to believe that Pilate’s constraining boldness to put an inscription of such dislike to the Jews, has come about because of Jesus Himself. As I have previously stated, my firm belief is that Pilate believed Jesus about being the Messiah, the King of the Jews. Jesus Himself had told him that he was correct in his question, his supposition and intention, in the manner Jesus responded to him. Pilate has no choice, but to show the world, the heart, sincerity, passion and absolute Love of that Nazarene on the cross.

JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Why do I say that Pilate is showing the whole world? I say that first and foremost, pertaining to the Jewish world.

From tomorrow, we shall return resolutely, with enlightened minds and enlivened hearts to our working text.