Prevailing Voices
Part of The Gospel Of Luke—Christmas 2018 thru Easter 2019
June 10, 2019

Prevailing Voices


Luke 23:1-5
Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

And he answered him, “You have said so.”

Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.”

But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”


Luke 23:13-16
Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 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. I will therefore punish and release him.”


Luke 23:18-19
But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas” – a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder.


Luke 23:20-22
Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!”
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.”

Three Times Pilate Declared Jesus’ Innocence

  • “I find no guilt in this man.” (vs. 4)

  • “I do not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him.” (vs. 14)

  • “I have found in him no guilt deserving death.” (vs. 22)


Luke 23:23-24
But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

Through The Story Of Pilate We See The Challenge To …

  • Place Jesus over our special-interest groups.

Matthew 26:24-26
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting … he handed (Jesus) over to be crucified.

Mark 15:15
Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate … handed (Jesus) over to be crucified.

Luke 23:23
And their voices prevailed.

Through The Story Of Pilate We See The Challenge To …

  • Place Jesus over our self-interest.


Luke 9:24
“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”


Luke 23:25
… but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

Communion

  • In what opportunity/circumstance is Jesus standing before you that calls for a decision of some kind?

  • Is there a particular way that self-interest is getting in the way?

  • Thank Him for willingly taking your place.