Pilate encountered Jesus when the Jews brought false accusations against Him. John 18: 29So Pilate, the governor, went out to them and asked, “What is your charge against this man?” 30“We wouldn’t have handed him over to you if he weren’t a criminal!” they retorted.[1]
Pilate dutifully questioned Jesus and then told the Jews “I can find nothing against this man.” The Jews don’t want Jesus freed, so then Pilate has Jesus whipped and abused by the soldiers. After this, Pilate says, “I find nothing I can charge Him with.” He knows that Jesus has done nothing wrong and has been falsely accused.
Response to False Accusations
Jesus responded to these false claims by remaining calm. In fact, after the beating, Jesus didn’t even answer Pilate’s questions. How could He do that? John 5:19So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. Pilate found this behavior baffling.
Even the sinless nature of Christ didn’t stop His enemies from coming up with false charges in an attempt to destroy Him and His ministry. In the last century more Christians were persecuted for their faith in Jesus than all the other centuries combined. How do we respond to false charges of wrongdoing? We can look to the Father just as Jesus did. Our human nature may want to strike back with words or actions, but God will guide us in the direction that is the best for that situation.
Matthew 5:11God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.[2] To be blessed by God is to be highly favored or fortunate, and this is God’s response to all of those who are falsely accused for His sake. What does this tell us about God? It tells us that the Lord knows what is going on in our lives and takes measures to support, encourage, and reward us for being His followers. In addition, He helps to sustain us during as our enemies try to beat us down.
Pray for Help when False Accusations Come
We can look to the Father just as Jesus did. Realize that often your prayers will be answered with a small light for the path ahead. This will require you to go to the Lord often and learn to depend on Him daily. While the enemy maybe trying to destroy you, the Lord is using your situation to help you grow in Christian maturity. James 1:2Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
We see that Jesus can be our example during persecution. To hear more about the false accusations against Jesus, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/encountering-jesus-with-pilate
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.