In the first year of our marriage, my wife and I visited a Baptist church not far from San Francisco, CA.  That has been many years ago, but I have never forgotten that Sunday morning.  The church treated us like dignitaries. Greeters escorted us to meet the Pastor. He welcomed us, prayed with us, and escorted us to the front row of the auditorium. My wife was presented with a fresh red rose and I was invited to greet the audience and open the service in prayer.  The service was long (no one minded), the music was electrifying, and the preaching was powerful.  The pastor spoke that morning on Pilate’s examination of Jesus Christ based on the record of John 18:28-38.  I am often reminded of his sermon during this time of the year.

I invite you to examine Jesus with me as I revisit that Sunday morning sermon. Pilate asked three questions.

1. Are you the King of the Jews?  The Pastor told us that Pilate was examining Jesus’ politics. Politics have always been a “hot-button” issue.  The Jewish leaders were desperate to be free from Roman rule but only wanted if they could be in control instead.  Jesus challenged their entire politics. He taught them to give to Caesar the things which belonged to Caesar, and to give to God everything that belonged to God. He taught them to show their love for God by serving — if someone compels you to go a mile, go two! Jesus calmly shared with Pilate that His kingdom was a spiritual and eternal one.  Years have passed since that examination, but Jesus’ politics are the same.  We aren’t rebels. We aren’t angry “crusaders.” We aren’t attempting to set up a ruling religious kingdom. Instead, we honor the authority of government as it punishes evildoers (see 1 Peter 2:14) and we pray fervently that it will make decisions that allows us to “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (2 Timothy 2:2). I invite you to examine Jesus. You are going to like His politics. There are still two more questions.
2. What have you done?    Here, Pilate was examining Jesus’ practice.  The pastor began this part of his message by telling the story of the wedding in Cana of Galilee. In his words, when the water in the barrels saw Jesus looking at them, the molecules said “look who is looking at us” and they “blushed” and became wine! The audience loved it and cheered him on! What was His practice? The blind could see, the deaf could hear, the lame could walk, the dumb could speak, and dead were raised! Those who were in bondage were set free. The brokenhearted were healed. Mourning was turned to joy, ashes were turned to beauty, and heaviness was turned to praise. Jesus’ practice is still the same today. Are you in bondage? He came to break the chains of sin. Are you left with nothing but ashes? He is able to turn those ashes into something beautiful.  Are you mourning over the hurts of life, the death of a loved one, or the sorrows of sin? He can change all of that to joy.  I invite you to examine Jesus. You are going to like His practice.  There is one more question.
3. What is truth?  Pilate now examines Jesus’ philosophy.  Pilate apparently didn’t take the time to really listen, but if you will listen and learn, Jesus will answer it.  “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no many comes unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6). When He prays for his followers in John 17:17, He asks the Father to “sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.”  Dear reader, Jesus is the way to peace with God and forgiveness of sins. He is the way to spiritual and eternal life. He is the truth and you should get to know Him. You should examine what happened 2000 years ago when He died for our sins and was raised again from the dead. Through Him, you can find truth!

What was the conclusion? Pilate examined Jesus and came to a simple conclusion: “I find no fault in Him.”  I too have examined Jesus for well over 35 years! I first heard of Him when I was just a lad. I trusted Him to be my God and Savior when I was a teen. I gave my college years to studying His Word and to preparing my life to tell others about Him. I have read dozens of books about Him. I have met thousands of people whose lives were changed by Him. I have told His story and power to many thousands more and have driven and flown thousands of miles to do so. He has changed my life! He wants to change yours.  Examine Him.  You will find no fault in Him!

He is a wonderful God. He is a wonderful Savior. I believe in Him and I love Him. 

If I can help you to know more about Him, feel free to reach out.  I would love to help.  

Thanks for reading.

Your sincere friend,

Dave Young

P.S.  You could also visit ConsiderJesusChrist.org