Billy Graham: Christians Can Learn a Lesson From Pontius Pilate
Christians can learn a lesson from the story of Jesus' crucifixion and the role of Pontius Pilate, the Rev. Billy Graham said in a recent post.
Graham, 97, said in a post for the Kansas City Star that Christians must be aware of the pressures felt by Pontius Pilate when he chose to crucify Jesus.
The evangelical leader explains that although Pilate personally thought Jesus was innocent, he gave into cultural pressure and ultimately turned Christ over to the soldiers to be crucified.
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When answering the question of why Pilate made this decision, Graham says that "the only logical answer is that Pilate was a morally weak person, and instead of standing for the truth, he was concerned about only himself and his future."
Graham points specifically to John 19:12, where Jesus' opponents told Pilate that if he let Him go, he would be going against Caesar.
"Pilate will forever stand as a warning against giving in to the pressure of the crowd and turning our backs on Jesus. And that can happen far more easily than most of us realize," Graham says, adding that Jesus warned Christians of such dangers in Matthew 7:13 which states: "Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."
"Whose way are you following: the way of the crowds and of Pilate, or the way of Christ? Don't end up on the wrong road, but by faith commit your life to Jesus Christ today," Graham adds.
The Christian leader has also written on the importance of the crucifixion.
In a June 2014 post on the "My Answers" portion of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's website, Graham discussed the importance behind Mark 15:34, in which Jesus, during his crucifixion, "cried out in a loud voice [...] 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'"
Graham says that although some may misinterpret this verse, Jesus was not doubting God.
"No, Jesus wasn't doubting God; He still referred to Him as 'My God.' But Jesus was shrinking back from the horror He was about to experience — a horror you and I can barely imagine," the evangelical leader says.
"Remember: Jesus was completely innocent, not just of the sin He was accused of committing that led to His condemnation by Pilate, but of all sin. On the cross, all our sins were transferred to Him, and He was about to take upon Himself the judgment that you and I deserve for our sins," Graham adds.
By this, the religious leader says he means that Jesus "would be separated from God, His Father. The unbroken fellowship that He had enjoyed with God from all eternity was about to be shattered, for sin cannot exist in God's holy presence. Second, Jesus was about to endure God's judgment against sin — the judgment of hell that you and I deserve."
"Don't take lightly what Jesus Christ has done for you. Instead, thank Him for taking upon Himself all your sins, and enduring God's judgment in your place," Graham adds.
