Behold the Man!

No fence-riding allowed. by Jerry Griffin

It was a spring day, not unlike so many other spring days. Yet this day would be different: It was a day of decision.

Jesus of Nazareth had been arrested during the night and at daybreak had been brought before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. Who was this Jesus? And what should be done with Him? As the day progressed, it seemed as if all of Jerusalem would be caught up in making a decision about this Man.

Jesus questioned

During the night, shortly after Jesus' arrest, Annas, the father-in-law of the high priest, questioned Jesus about His followers and teaching. Was His teaching true? Jesus responded that He had taught openly in the synagogues and temple. Annas must judge for himself.

Before dawn, Annas sent Jesus to Caiaphas the high priest for further interrogation. There, before Caiaphas and the Jewish supreme court, Jesus stood silent while two witnesses testified against Him. Caiaphas and the supreme court were faced with a difficult decision. Was Jesus who He said He was? Was He the promised Messiah? Was He the Son of God? Or was He guilty of blasphemy?

While the supreme court questioned Jesus, one of His followers, Peter the fisherman, warmed himself by the fire outside in the courtyard. He too would have to make a decision. What should he do, what should he say, if asked, "Are you one of them? Do you know the Man?"

Decision time

It was now dawn. The rising sun turned Jerusalem from chalk-white to gold. All over the city the roosters welcomed the light. The people arose with great anticipation. There was much to do and see; it was a festival day! As the populace began to stir, it did not take long for the news to spread: "Did you hear? They arrested that Galilean last night. What's to become of Him?"

The sun had not yet penetrated the Roman Praetorium. Inside its dark chambers stood Jesus. He was now in Pilate's hands. It was decision time.

"Are you the King of the Jews?" inquired Pilate.

Jesus answered that He was a king and spoke of "the truth." Yet there was something disturbing about this case to the pragmatic Pilate. Would he be able to determine the truth about this Man? After all, "What is truth?" Everyone seems to have their own version of it. Why should he risk making a decision? Let others determine the fate of this Man.

To clear himself, therefore, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod Antipas, the puppet king of Galilee and Perea. But Herod was not interested in making a decision; he wanted to be entertained. Could Jesus possibly perform some miracle for him? Mockingly, Herod and his soldiers placed a kingly robe on Jesus and sent Him back to Pilate.

Will of the crowd

Outside the Praetorium a crowd was beginning to gather -- a mixture of friend, foe, and the curious. What were the masses thinking about this Man? If given the opportunity, what would they decide to do with Jesus?

Pilate gave them their chance. He offered to flog Jesus, which he hoped would satisfy Jesus' accusers, and then release Him. But the crowd cried out, "Away with this Man! Crucify Him!"

Pilate tried again to avoid the inevitable. As an act of clemency during the feast, should he release Jesus or another prisoner, Barabbas, a known murderer and robber? Let the people decide.

"Not this Man, but Barabbas!" they demanded.

So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. Then they said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they struck Him with their hands. Pilate then went out again and said to them "Behold, I am bringing Him out to you that you may know that I find no fault in Him. Then Jesus came out, wearing the, crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, "Behold the Man!" (John 19:1-5, NKJV).

The decision had been made.

Your decision

But the question still remains: Was Jesus who He said He was? Everyone, in one way or another, must make a decision about Jesus. It's unavoidable. Even to make no decision is to decide.

Jesus was either a mortal man or a divine being from heaven. If He was just a man, then He was either a deceiver who knowingly perpetrated a lie, or He was a mentally deluded individual who harmlessly believed He was someone else. If He was from heaven, then He was and is the Christ, the Son of God.

What are you going to do a Jesus? The decision is yours. "Behold the Man!"

A version of this article appeared in a past issue of the Bible Advocate print magazine. For a free subscription by regular mail, contact us at bibleadvocate@cog7.org.

Jerry Griffin is director of Summit School of Theology in Denver, CO.

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