We come now to the end of Christ's earthly ministry. After an illegal trial conducted at night by the high priest, Jesus is taken by the Jewish leaders to appear before Pilate, the Roman governor. Here He “witnessed a good confession,” according to the inspired Apostle. It was “good” both because of His meek manner and because of the matter of His witness. Jesus is indeed “the faithful and true witness” (Rev. 1:5; 3:14). He was a faithful Witness before both paupers and procurators.
What was the content of this “good confession”? What did Jesus witness to? He bore witness to enough spiritual truth that Pilate could have been saved if he had only acted on it.
After considering Christ's magnificence and Pilate's vacillation in this passage, we feel like asking, “Who was really on trial – Jesus or Pilate”? The question for us is “What will you do with Jesus?” (Matt. 27:22). We cannot be neutral. Pilate tried unsuccessfully. He released a robber and crucified Christ. God help us to respond differently from Pilate!
Before Pontius Pilate, Jesus indeed “witnessed a good confession.” He gave the Roman governor profound and convincing truth about Himself. Sadly, Pilate left Christ's presence abruptly to go out again to the people. He was confronted with the One Who was truth Incarnate, but he rejected Him.
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Bob Vradenburgh is the senior pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has spent 40 years in full-time Christian service: the first 20 years as a missionary and the past 20 years in the pastorate. Bob’s passion is the expository preaching of God’s Word,...
