What Jesus Did! 'Not Guilty ... Again' — John 19:4

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Pilate went outside again and said to the people, "I am going to bring [Jesus] out to you now, but understand clearly that I find him not guilty."
— John 19:4 NLT

Key Thought

Pilate knew the truth, but couldn't bring himself to live by it! Jesus was innocent. He said it again and again. [1] The problem was he wouldn't live up to what he knew was true. He chose political expediency over truth, even ignoring his wife's pleas to have nothing to do with harming Jesus because he was innocent. [2] For Christians, Pilate was a hideous and weak ruler, catering to the will of the mob rather than following what he knew as right. Yet before we rake Pilate over the coals, let's be honest with ourselves about all the times we have not lived up to what we knew was right, honest, true, or honorable because we didn't want to go against the will of the crowd around us. God forgive us, and the indwelling Holy Spirit help us to be more courageous in the future.

[1] See John 18:38, 19:6 for Pilate's other declarations of Jesus' innocence.
[2] Matthew 27:19.

Today's Prayer

Forgive me, dear Lord, my heavenly Father! I still struggle with knowing how to be courteous and not cave in to the pressures around me to conform to a worldly standard rather than living out my faith. Please give me courage, wisdom, and a proper sense of timing to live with integrity and grace wherever your path for me may lead. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Peter 3:13-17
  • Luke 12:8-12
  • Luke 6:22

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Illustration

Illustration of John 19:4 NLT — Pilate went outside again and said to the people, "I am going to bring [Jesus] out to you now, but understand clearly that I find him not guilty."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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