Why Did Jesus Refuse to Defend Himself? Matthew 27:11-19

Jesus Before Pilate

11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. 15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

In the passage today, we will see the great self control of Jesus, refusing to be baited by Pontius Pilate.  We will see that Pilate knows Jesus is not guilty or worthy of capital punishment.  We will see the cruelty of the religious leaders, who would rather have a well known terrorist go free, while the innocent Son of God would be crucified.  Finally, we see Herod's wife had a very vivid dream about Jesus and the man he truly was.  So convinced was she of her dream, that she sent her husband an urgent message about his innocence. 

Jesus shows he is the one truly in control of these proceedings.  Because he is so at peace with the Father's will, he doesn't need to fight or control the outcome of what is about to happen.  

"No majestic defense, no instant miracle to save His own life. Instead, Jesus gave Pilate the same simple reply He gave to the high priest."  (Guzike).  

What would it be like for you to have this kind of self control?  When you are unjustly accused to let your case rest with God's will being done?

In some ways Pilate has no "dog in this fight".  The only real threat Jesus posed was as a revolutionary to overthrow his government.  As Pilate took stock of Jesus, he realized he was no insurrectionist intent on overthrowing the government.  So not wanting to crucify an innocent men, he asked if there is someone more worthy of this punishment.  

“He had seen in captured Jews the fierce courage of fanaticism; but there was no fanaticism in Christ. He had also seen in many prisoners the meanness which will do or say anything to escape from death; but he saw nothing of that about our Lord. He saw in him unusual gentleness and humility combined with majestic dignity. He beheld submission blended with innocence.” (Spurgeon)

Where do you need more humility in your life rather than pride and control?  Why do you think Pilate is so reluctant to bring Jesus' to judgment?

Apparently Herod's wife's dream was so vivid she wanted to get an urgent message to her husband to dissuade him from carrying out the religious leader's wishes.  One wonders what she dreamt?

"We can only conjecture what she saw in this dream. Perhaps she saw Jesus, an innocent man, crowned with thorns and crucified. Maybe she saw Him coming in glory with the clouds of heaven. Maybe she saw Him at the Great White Throne of judgment, and she and her husband facing Jesus." (Guzik)

Do you think God works through dreams today? In what ways?  Has this ever happened to you?  Remember any dreams you might think are from God would need to be in alignment with scripture if you if we were to act on them. 

Finally, we see the extreme irony is this scene.  Barabbas, a bloody murderer, is released and an innocent man is condemned.  Add to this the fact that it was also the moblike crowd who also chimed in with chants of "crucify him".  They were equally convinced of Jesus' guilt. 

“The call Let him be crucified is remarkable on the lips of a Jewish crowd, for crucifixion was a Roman punishment, abhorrent to most Jews.” (France)

At the end of the day this scene looks forward to the cross.  The thief on the cross would soon say, "You have done nothing wrong to deserve this, but we are getting what we deserve!"

In a not too dissimilar way, Jesus was on the cross for us too.  The innocent dying for the guilty.  The wages of sin is death, and our sin deserves judgment as well.  But God in His mercy sent Jesus to die for us. The guiltless for the guilty.  Would we have reacted in any way different than the self serving crowd?  

Take some time to think about the nature of Jesus' innocence and our guilt before God?  How might this inspire your devotion and following of Jesus?