Pilate then took Jesus and flogged Him. And when the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; and they were coming to Him and saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and were giving Him slaps in the face. And Pilate came out again and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!” So when the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they cried out saying, “Crucify, crucify!” Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God.”
John 19:1-7
Introduction
In passing the buck regarding his gubernatorial duties, Pilate still gives the order to beat and humiliate the Lord. This is how it goes for all those who refuse to make a commitment to follow Him into death (Romans 6:4). Those also will be denied the life that is in Him.
There are many who believe they will be saved merely for calling Christ “Lord” (Matthew 7:21). Perhaps even more think they are saved simply for praying “the sinner’s prayer.” But they are mistaken. Confession is not enough. Confession can be made insincerely, in bad faith, and even erroneously.
Not all praise is created equal
An overt example of this occurs from the mouths of the soldiers who placed a crown of thorns on His head in mockery. Through mere words, they spoke the truth: “Hail, King of the Jews!” This is an accurate statement. They should praise Him as King of the Jews. And He is not merely King of the Jews, but King of Kings, Lord over all creation.
But it is clear their praise is insincere. From their mouths comes praise, but instead of bowing, worshiping, and serving Him, they slap His face. Instead of obeying His commands and seeking to be more like Him, they revile Him. He is treated like a criminal by the ones calling Him King.
This is an obvious case where anyone with eyes can tell their lack of sincerity. It would be ridiculous to think they were doing anything but mocking Him. But isn’t that exactly what we do when we call Him savior but refuse to repent of sin? Don’t we mock and revile Him when we call ourselves Christians but live like the world? If anything, these soldiers are being more sincere in their mockery than many who claim the name of Christ without taking up their crosses to follow Him (Matthew 16:24).
Is it a lie if it’s true?
Following the false confession is the false accusation. Or is it a true accusation? Well, the underlying accusation is one of blasphemy, so in that sense it is emphatically false. But that is not precisely what they say. They wish for Him to be killed “because He made Himself out to be the Son of God.” In their estimation, no one could make such a claim in truth, and thus would necessarily be a liar and a blasphemer.
But what if His claim was true? He gave plenty of evidence that it was. He healed the blind, the lame, and the sick. He raised the dead and commanded the sea and the wind. He created food before their very eyes and fed thousands. He drove out demons and laid claim over the former possession of Satan. Could He do these things if He were a liar? The answer, of course, is no. He could not.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, testified finally by His resurrection and ascension. As such, let us not be hearers only of His word, but doers also. Otherwise we delude ourselves (James 1:22). Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the savior of mankind, and He calls us to obedience under the strength of His own obedience. Do not let your confession be in vain, but instead live according to His standard. Share the gospel and live a life worthy of praise.
May the Lord bless you and conform you into the image of His Son.
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