Easter: To Know + Follow Jesus

Part 1: Jesus' Claim

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Summary

Jesus stood trial before the Jews and the Romans for claiming to be the Messiah – the Son of God. Pilate, the Roman Governor, knew Jesus to be good, but he was scared to make this declaration. Pilate tried to remain neutral, even washing his hands of the entire situation. However, no decision is a decision. Pilate, “wanting to satisfy the crowd,” handed Jesus over to be crucified. What do you believe about Jesus? Is He truly the Messiah – the Son of God, or is Jesus a liar or lunatic? Every one of us must give an answer about Jesus. How will you respond to Jesus’ claim this Easter? Is He your Savior? If so, follow Him for all your life.

Content
Jesus Claimed to be the Messiah

Names and titles can tell us a lot about people. The names we call people are how we acknowledge them; using them shows we recognize the people around us. The titles principal or doctor or your honor all tell us something about what people do for a living, and they each show respect for the position someone has been placed into. The name of Jesus means salvation, and He claimed the title of the Messiah — the deliverer the Jews were waiting for. 

The account in Mark 15 tells us of Jesus being bound and delivered before the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate. The chief priests wanted the Messiah to be a political leader who would overthrow the rule of the Romans, but Jesus did not come to fight an earthly war, but to make both the Jews and the Gentiles right with God. In verse two, we read dialogue between Pilate and Jesus: 

“Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

Jesus indirectly affirmed that He is indeed the Messiah, and implied that Pilate knew the truth deep down. Pilate went on to ask Jesus to answer to the accusations of the chief priests, but verse 5 says, Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. Jesus did not cower, nor beg. He was calm, and felt no need to explain Himself because perfect life justified His claim. He knew God was in control, even in the hands of those who would have Him killed. 

Proof of Jesus’ Claim

The Jews accused Jesus of blasphemy because He claimed to be “The Son of God.” Jesus’ ministry challenged the established authority of Jewish religious leaders, and His spiritual teachings were revolutionary. Rather than command servitude like earthly kings, he became a servant to others. He claimed to forgive sins as He clearly performed miracles like healing the sick and lame. 

If the religious leaders would have not been driven by pride and a hunger for power, they might have recognized the truth: Jesus’ life provided all the proof necessary to know He was indeed the Messiah. Jesus fulfilled all 300 messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. Here are some examples:

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. – Micah 5:2

Jesus was born in Bethlehem! Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. – Isaiah 7:14

Jesus was born from Mary, a virgin! Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. – Psalm 22:16-18

Jesus was killed with nails driven into His hands and feet, and lots were cast for His clothes! These three fulfilled prophecies alone would be enough to prove His claim as Messiah. After all, Bethlehem was a small and poor town — hardly a place one would predict to produce our King. The concept of a virgin birth is miraculous, and the process of crucifixion had not even been invented at the time of Psalm 22’s authorship! 

Pilate’s Decision & Yours 

Pilate seemingly recognized Jesus was faultless. In fact, Matthew 27:19 tells us that his wife urged him not to be responsible for Jesus’ death, having learned He was innocent in a prophetic dream. Pilate attempted to persuade the crowd to allow Jesus to walk free by offering them a chance to release a prisoner of their choice. But, enraged at Jesus, the crowds instead asked for the release of the insurrectionist and murderer Barabbas, sentencing Jesus to death by crucifixion. Pilate didn’t want blood on his hands: he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” – Matthew 27:24 

Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. – Mark 15:15 

Because he was afraid to lose his position of power, and afraid to go against the will of the crowd, Pontius Pilate refused to stand up for the Truth. How often do we, too, betray Jesus in favor of appealing to the crowd? Friends, even though we do not sentence Jesus to death as Pilate did, upon Jesus’ death He endured the weight of all our sin — even our future sins. Jesus called us to know and follow Him. Like Pilate, we each have a decision to make: do we accept Jesus as Messiah? Will we stand up for the Truth, no matter the personal, worldly cost? We pray you will see Him this Easter season.

 

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