Like Judas Iscariot, Pilate, the governor of Judea played a very important role in the drama of mankind’s salvation. God used both men to bring Jesus to His sin-bearing death on the cross. Judas betrayed Jesus, delivering Him over to the Jewish authorities to be tried. The Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court in the land convicted Jesus of blasphemy and sentenced Him to death. But the Jews were under Roman rule and not permitted to carry out the death penalty. So they brought Jesus before Pilate and cast their theological accusation in political terms. Since Jesus claimed to be “King of the Jews” they pushed the narrative that He was a threat to Roman rule. Caesar was the only king, and because failure to end this threat might be seen as disloyalty to the crown, Pilate finally relented and delivered Jesus to be crucified.

The exchange between Jesus and Pilate over whether Jesus was a king is instructive. It is certain that Pilate did not see Jesus as a threat and even issued that well know statement, “I find no fault in Him.” Pilate learned and so do we that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world, and that the subjects of His kingdom are not conquered and ruled by military might, but by truth (John 18:28-40). Jesus put it this way, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” In response, Pilate asked that fateful question, but then walked away, “What is truth?”

The truth is this King gave His life for His subjects, and was raised from the dead. He ascended back into heaven, and will one day return to establish His kingdom whose subjects have believed this truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” He also said, “Unless one is born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”