The Weak Point Of The Strong Man
Pilate was powerful and strong-minded; but he was also weak and afraid. He feared for his job, his reputation and his life. His weakest point was fear of punishment by Caesar. The religious people took full advantage of that, especially when they heard that Jesus had told Pilate that He was the King of the Jews (John 18:37). They certainly did not want Him as their King; however to claim to be a king, on Caesar’s territory, was treason – an offence punishable by death.
What a good solution, they thought! It would be legal with the Roman authorities and would achieve their objective of getting rid of Jesus. Then they would retain their unquestioned religious power and the Romans would feel that they had been cooperative in exposing treason. But the religious people had forgotten that God was the King of Israel, and that their plotting had exposed them as being faithless and ruthless (Romans 1:31-32). Pilate’s weak point and their weak characters found a meeting place in the death of Jesus, and blinded their eyes to the long term consequences.
However strong we may be, physically or mentally, we all have weak places where evil desires can lurk. Then, when the opportunity comes, thoughts can turn into action, and Satan’s temptation is effective in bringing destruction (James 1:14-15). The wise person will not boast of strength but instead will identify the weak areas which are most at risk of being targeted by temptation. Failure to recognise weakness or to prevent it being exploited is so unwise.
© Dr Paul Adams