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      "The Decision to Reject Christ"
      John 19:13-15
      Theme: Everyone who hears the Gospel is cornered by the decision concerning what they will do with Jesus.

        1. The Struggle of the Heart in Rejecting Christ – 19:13

          1. The Conflict Stimulating the Decision

            1. Pontius Pilate was faced with the decision of his life – what will he do with the Lord Jesus – a man he perceived was not merely of this world.
            2. His true desire was to honor the man in whom he truly found not only no fault, but powerful truth.
            3. In his conflict, we attempted to do right – to release Jesus and to execute justice; but he bowed to the pressures applied to him by the world – "Therefore, when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out …"
            4. His decision was made independent of the eternal realities of the situation and instead, was based solely upon temporal values and priorities.
            5. He was faced with a crisis moment wherein he had to decide between two worlds –
              1. Potentially forfeit all that is dear in this world (power, prestige, position, prosperity, possessions, etc…, and gain eternal blessing; or,
              2. Certainly forfeit eternal blessing and joy in order to preserve potentially all that the world has to offer.
            6. Such a decision is essentially forced upon everyone who comes into contact with the Gospel – cp. Matthew 16:26
            7. Because of the pressure applied by the world, Pilate made his decision and brought Jesus out in order to announce it.

          2. The Commitment Solidifying the Decision

            1. As he was walking out from the Praetorium to the place of official judgment, he had already cast his soul’s direction – having loved the present too much to follow righteousness and side with Jesus Christ.
            2. So, he "sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha."
            3. This is the place of official sentencing – where the decision that Pilate has made will become binding – a tremendously ironic situation … the judge of all men being brought to the BEMA seat of judgment.
            4. This is where Pilate officially determined his destiny – in condemning Christ he was himself condemned – cp. Matthew 10:32-33.

        2. The Selection of the Heart that Rejects Christ – 19:14

          1. The Context Surrounding the Decision

            1. God’s timing for this event is perfect – the Lamb of God who would atone for the sins of the world was sacrificed during Passover – "Now it was the day of preparation for the Passover."
            2. This phrase has caused considerable debate among interpreters of Scripture – but ought to be understood in light of the reality that Friday is called "the day of preparation" every week for the Sabbath – cp. Mark 15:42
            3. This is a particularly important preparation day in that it is the preparation for the Sabbath of Passover – the annual Day of celebration of God’s deliverance from the bondage in Egypt.
            4. Originally, Passover was an event wherein the Angel of Death passed over all the homes that had found protection through the blood of the lamb covering the doorposts of their homes.
            5. Here, the Passover would represent the blood of the lamb again being applied to bring people safety from death – eternal death.
            6. It was during this celebration that Pilate and the people of Israel both chose to reject the provision of God and were doomed to death.

          2. The Confession Signifying the Decision

            1. We are told that it was early morning – most likely around 6 AM when Pilate came out and presented Jesus to the crowd – "it was about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, ‘Behold, your King’!"
            2. There is sarcasm present in his voice – calling attention to this man who was bloodied, bruised, and shivering in shock before them - "your king"
            3. It is was the official declaration of rejection by Pilate – designed to slam the Jews, reject personal respect for Jesus, and demonstrate the antipathy toward the provision of God.
            4. He forces the people of Israel to take ownership of the decision that he had made – to crucify Jesus; calling on them to either accept or reject the Messiah.

        3. The Satisfaction of the Heart that Rejects Christ – 19:15

          1. The Corruption Swaying the Decision

            1. The hearts of the people were grotesquely estranged from God – to the point where they did not even recognize His hand in the life of Jesus.
            2. They were hostile and corrupt – lusting after the ability to rid themselves of Jesus and the moral uprightness and authority that he represented in their lives – "So they cried out, ‘Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!"
            3. In disgust and mockery, "Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King’?"
            4. Their constant call is that they be rid of Jesus.

          2. The Claim Substantiating the Decision

            1. Their response to Pilate is that is to claim independence from any king other than Caesar – "The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar’."
            2. The most tragic thing is that God took them at their word and allowed them to suffer the fate of being surrendered to the corrupt authority of men and the curses of it – when He would have given them divine rule and blessing.
            3. The Jewish people have been ruled over and abused ever since – to this day still not possessing a King who will accomplish all that God intends to accomplish through the coming One – the Lord Jesus Christ.
            4. They were essentially calling on Pilate to do his duty as a loyal servant of Tiberius Caesar – and professed their loyalty to him as a inducement for Pilate to do what would be in the best interest of a loyal Roman.
            5. The claim of Caesar being their one and only king substantiates the rejection of the will of God and His provision for their need.

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