The Slide Towards Compromise

Characters of the Crucifixion
The Slide toward Compromise
Matthew 27:1-2 & 11-26

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Character is determined by the courage of your convictions

A Little Background:

• Pilate was the governor or procurator of Judea from A.D. 26-36
• He was not well liked by the Jewish people
• He is mentioned in another incident in the NT

“There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.” (Luke 13:1)

• There is a series of 3 “trials” that happen after Jesus is turned over to the Roman authorities (see Luke 23)

Pilate’s Slide toward Compromise

1. It began unexpectedly (1-2)

Life offers us a series of “pop quizzes” that test our character

2. It involved an internal struggle

“Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, 'I find no guilt in this man.'” (Luke 23:4)

“and said to them, 'You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him.'” (Luke 23:14–15)

“A third time he said to them, 'Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.'” (Luke 23:22)

“So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.” (Mark 15:15)

Character battles are fought on the inside before they become apparent on the outside

3. It could not be avoided by passing the buck (15-23)

Pilate tried to pass the buck to:

• Herod (Luke 23:6-12)
• The crowd (15-23)

Many a person has convictions for which he wants someone else to supply the courage

• Sometimes you have to Stand Alone
• Sometimes it is Foolish to stand alone

4. It involved ignoring the good counsel of others (19)

God will often send people into our lives who can serve as a guiding light or a warning shot

Example: King David in 2 Samuel 11:3

5. Small steps led to a bigger slide

“Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, 'See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.' So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, 'Behold the man!'” (John 19:1–5)

Our Present choices determine our Future character

6. Declaring one’s innocence doesn’t make you innocent (24-26)

Jesus was not really on trial before Pilate; Pilate was really on trial before Jesus

If God controls the inner man, the world cannot control the outer man.

Making It Personal:

• What are the areas of my life where I might find myself sliding toward compromise?
• Are there any small compromises that I have been making that may lead to a bigger slide?
• How am I regularly strengthening the “inner person” and my walk with Christ to prepare me for the battles on the inside?
• Who are the people in my life that can stand with me? How can we support and strengthen one another against a slide toward compromise?
• Is there anyone that God has sent across my path in recent days that I need to give attention to?
• Is God sending me across the path of another to speak a needed word of caution, correction or encouragement?
• What will you do with Jesus who is called the Christ? (27:22)