Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. He said so many times. And yet, in the end, the Roman governor sentenced an innocent man to death. Why? What was it that changed his mind? No new evidence was produced. Nothing Jesus said created suspicion. In fact, as the trial progressed Pilate discovered the truth: Jesus was there because the religious leaders were jealous of His influence. He could see for himself that God was with this Rabbi from Nazareth. That’s why huge crowds were following Him everywhere He went, and many believed that He was the promised Messiah. Pilate was a tough, shrewd soldier. The emperor Tiberius would not have assigned him to govern one of the most troubled regions in the empire unless he had already proven himself to be a skillful, if brutal, leader. Pilate had been given full control of the province and the army. He held the power of life and death. He could reverse a death sentence issued by the Sanhedrin, and all their decisions had to be ratified by him. He appointed the high priests and controlled the temple and its funds. He even kept the high priest’s robes and special garments (breastplate, turban, urim and thummim, etc.) and only released them at certain festivals (D.H. Wheaton, “Pilate” in The New Bible Dictionary, J.D. Douglas, ed., Eerdmans, 1971, pp.996-997).

And by the time of this trial, Pilate had already proven that he was willing to use the power he had been given. He had slaughtered large numbers of Jews and Samaritans. In fact, he had been so brutal that complaints had already been sent to his superiors. Yet that morning, when the high priests threatened to accuse him of disloyalty to Rome, his courage collapsed. And the moment it did he ceased to be the leader and fell under their control. He wasn’t willing to pay the price, but they were. By his failure Pilate teaches us a profound lesson. He shows us that in order to lead, in any capacity, we must first decide whether we’re willing to stand firm no matter what may come. Because if we don’t, those who have made that decision will rule us.