Matthew 27:1-25

“While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, ‘Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.’” (Matthew 27:19, NKJV)

Never in human history was there a man who did so much good, and was treated so unjustly, who was declared innocent by so many. So spotless was His reputation that even His enemies could not find two witnesses who agreed in their charges against Him. During the night and morning of His crucifixion He was tried six times, mostly illegally, yet no charges were proven against Him. He was condemned by the Jews because He claimed to be the Christ. But even one of their own, Nicodemus, claimed that no one could do what He did unless God were with Him.

Even Judas, who betrayed Him, hung himself because he knew that he had betrayed innocent blood.

Now He stood before the governor, because the Jews needed Pilate’s approval for Jesus to be crucified. But while Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent a message to him. (I have experienced something similar when I have said something my wife does not approve of, and she bumps me under the table!) Christian tradition says her name was Claudia Procula, and she had a disturbing dream. She knew Jesus was innocent, and she knew her husband was in a very dangerous position. Perhaps it was because of her warning that Pilate sent Jesus to Herod when he discovered that He was from Galilee. Pilate did everything he could think of to avoid giving a verdict about Jesus, but in the end, it was unavoidable. Pilate delivered Jesus to be crucified to satisfy the crowd, even though he knew that Jesus was innocent.

Countless people since then have avoided giving a verdict about Jesus. They have treated the Holy Spirit like a bothersome telemarketer and shut down every attempt of the Spirit to convict them of their sin and Jesus’ righteousness. They have tried to “have nothing to do with that just Man,” but like Pilate, their decision about Jesus Christ is unavoidable. Everyone either confesses Him as Lord in this life and is saved, or else they will face Him as Judge in the next life and be condemned. The stakes could not be higher. Our job is to help them to see their critical situation and to see Christ’s innocence, holiness, and love. We must simply introduce them to Jesus and let them decide for themselves.