Behold the Man

In Jesus’ trial before Roman Justice, Pilate is a man vacillating between what he knows is right and what the crowd demands of him. He knows and states that Jesus is innocent three times and wants to free him, but the blood-thirsty crowd wants him crucified. Pilate had him flogged, which was enough to kill victims. Jesus was beaten until he was unrecognizable. Pilate hoped the crowd would have pity on him and let him go.

When Pilate shouted to the people, “Behold the Man!” It was as if he was saying, “Hasn’t he been through enough?” “Can’t we let him go now? However, when Pilate presented Jesus to the Jews, his words still linger for each of us to look at Jesus. As we see him standing there, we see how much God loves us. God loves each of us, and he is willing to punish his son to such a degree.

Pilate’s ploy was to no avail because the crowd yelled that Jesus be crucified. But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him,” (John 19:6).

First, Pilate encountered Christ’s incredible demeanor of self-control. Then he witnessed the scourging and was overwhelmed with his own guilt. Pilate was confused, so he pulled Jesus back into the Praetorium.

Pilate soon became aware that he could not command Jesus to speak. He would talk when he wanted to. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus remained silent. (John 19:19). Jesus’ silence provoked Pilate to ask: “Do you refuse to speak to me?” He added, “Don’t you realize I have the power to either free or crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore, the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” (John 19:10-11).

Christ was the free man! Power resided with him, not with Pilate. He alone could do as he pleased. Pilate wanted to release Jesus in the worst way, but he could not. If ever a man was caught by the whim and desires of the people around him, it was Pilate! We behold in Jesus not a poor man crushed by his captors but a savior crushed by his father for our sins.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed.