Pilate was the representative of Rome in Jerusalem during the Passover when Jesus would die. And Pilate would be an instrument through which Jesus would be sentenced”¦death by crucifixion.

What did Pilate not know? Pilate did not know that Jesus had already been found guilty by the Jewish leaders in three “˜religious”™ trials before being brought before Pilate that early morning.

(NASB) John 18:28-31 “Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.

29 Therefore Pilate went out to them and said, “˜What accusation do you bring against this Man?”™

30 They answered and said to him, “˜If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.”™

31 So Pilate said to them, “˜Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.”™ The Jews said to him, “˜We are not permitted to put anyone to death.”™”

Jesus, as He was standing there with hands tied and showing the results of having been beaten and spit upon a short time before, Jesus knew the need of these men”¦they needed Him to be their Savior. [We can be encouraged from these very circumstances because Jesus knew these men”™s need and He knows our need too.]

What did Pilate and the Jewish religious leaders not know? They did not know God”™s plans were being fulfilled in that hour and in the hours to come.

(NASB) John 18:32 “to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.”

Jesus knew that He alone could be the perfect sacrifice for these men”™s sins and the sins of the whole world (See John 3:16-17).

Jesus had known this time was coming when He told His disciples:

(NASB) Matthew 26:2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.”

What do you not know? You do not know what this day holds for you.

But Jesus knows”¦

Be Encouraged! Jesus Knows Your Need!