May 18th 2025
From Liz Van Sickle
Who was Pontius Pilate?
Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea from A.D. 26-36, serving under Emperor Tiberius. He is most known for his involvement in condemning Jesus to death on a cross.
Outside of the four Gospels, Pontius Pilate is mentioned by Tacitus, Philo, and Josephus.
In addition, the “Pilate Stone,” discovered in 1961 and dated c. A.D. 30, includes a description of Pontius Pilate and mentions him as “prefect” of Judea.
Pilate is also mentioned in the apocryphal writings, but these were all written at much later dates.
In the Bible, Pontius Pilate is mentioned solely in connection with the trials and crucifixion of Jesus. The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) portray Pilate as reluctant to crucify Jesus.
Pilate calls the charges against Jesus “baseless” (Luke 23:14) and several times declares Jesus to be not guilty: “What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty” (Luke 23:22).
Pilate’s conscience was already bothering him when his wife sent him an urgent message concerning Jesus.
The note begged him, “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him” (Matthew 27:19).
John’s Gospel offers some more detail of the trial, including an additional conversation between Pilate and Jesus.
Jesus acknowledges Himself as a king and claims to speak directly for the truth.
Pilate responds with the famous question, “What is truth?” (John 18:38).
The question intentionally communicated multiple meanings.
Here was a situation in which truth was compromised in order to condemn an innocent man.
Pilate, who is supposedly seeking the truth, asks the question of the One who is Himself “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
A human judge, confused about the truth, was about to condemn the Righteous Judge of the world.
In the end, Pilate sought a compromise.
Knowing Jesus had been handed over by the religious leaders out of envy, he appealed to the crowds at the Passover, asking which “criminal” should be set free, Jesus or Barabbas?
The leaders convinced the crowd to cry out for Barabbas (Matthew 27:20–21).
Giving in to political pressure, Pilate authorized both the flogging and crucifixion of Jesus: “Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them.
He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified” (Mark 15:15).
Pilate had the charge against Jesus posted on the cross above Jesus’ head: “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS” (Matthew 27:37).
As soon as Jesus died, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus in order to bury Him, and Pilate granted the request (John 19:38).
The last glimpse we have of Pontius Pilate is when he assigns guards for Jesus’ tomb (Matthew 27:64-66).
Pontius Pilate’s brief appearance in Scripture is full of tragedy.
He ignored his conscience, he disregarded the good advice of his wife, he chose political expediency over public rectitude, and he failed to recognize the truth even when Truth was standing right in front of him.
When given an opportunity to evaluate the claims of Jesus, what will we decide?
Will we accept His claim to be the King, or will we follow the voice of the crowd?
News from the Church New dates
21st May…. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
26th to 31st May….. History Week 9am to 6pm
June 4th…..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
ANSWERS TO 11th May QUESTIONS
1) Passover 2) Dove 3) A burning bush 4) In a pit 5) Wisdom 6) Ason 7) An Angel 8) The Ark of the Covenant 9) Baal 10) The dust of the earth 11) Levi 12) God 13) The Children of Israel
14) Tablets of stone 15) A fleece 16) A ram
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is the NEW TESTAMENT
1 Where did Mary and Joseph take Jesus when He was 12 yrs old?
2 In which town did Jesus do His first miracle?
3 On which sea did Jesus still the storm?
4 Where did Paul teach Lydia and her friends?
5 Where did Paul live with Aquila and Priscilla?
6 Where was Jesus baptized?
7 Where did Mary, Martha and Lazarus live?
8 Where were Paul and Barnabas when they were sent out as missionaries?
9 Where was Paul born?
10 Where were Paul and Silas put in prison?
11 Where was the Alter to the unknown God?
12 Where did Mary and Joseph flee too, after the visit of the wise men?
13 In which city did the Church begin?
14 Where was Saul when he saw a vision and became blind?
15 Where was Jesus born?
16 Where did Cornelius live?
Bible Scripture and Warfare Prayers.
Wait Sitting Or Go To Fight?
"If ye will and if ye will listen to me, ye shall eat the best of the land" (Isaiah 1:19).
"Things may come to those who prefer to wait, but only the things left by those who, determined, hurry."
The Lord Jesus told His disciples, "Go and preach." He also says to us today, "Go and testify of your faith"; "Go and work while it's day"; "Go and show the love of God."
For Abraham to be a blessing, he left his homeland and the midst of his relatives.
He had to take the right attitude, obey the Lord's mandate, believe that sitting and waiting, he would achieve nothing.
The man has to remove the stone, as in the case of Lazarus,
come down from the tree, as with Zacchaeus,
cast the net, as on the night when Peter, Andrew, James and John had not caught any fish.
God gives the blessing and we must "go" for it.
Even "waiting on the Lord" depends on pursuing our dreams of victory.
As it is written in our opening sentence, whoever is waiting has to be content with leftovers.
And God has the best of this earth for His children.
God Bless