When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person; see ye to it. Matthew 27:24
Have you ever found anyone who believed that the Roman procurate Pilate was truly innocent of the blood of Jesus Christ? The catechisms of both the Catholic and Anglican churches include references to Jesus Christ suffering or being crucified under Pontius Pilate. An examination of the evidence presented in all four Gospels can bring a reader to only one conclusion, that Pilate, much as he tried and much as he wanted to set Jesus free, and much as he acknowledged His innocence, he signed the death warrant that unjustly approved the crucifixion of Christ. Our text’s little vignette of Pilate washing his hands before the multitude does not wash the guilt of his worst ever decision off his soul. Pilate’s hands might have been clean, but his conscience was not, and his soul forever bears the blame of that cowardly crime. Because it was cowardice that proved his great downfall.
Pilate was not the only sinner to lose his soul because of his cowardice. Consider the spineless religious leaders who compromise divine principles in order to appeal to the largest numbers of followers, failing to follow what is right because of the fear that some might scoff or walk away. Consider the wimps who walk or drive past places where the Gospel is being preached rather than face the mockings of friends or family. Consider the families who allow dust to gather on their Bibles rather than letting their neighbours think they might have ‘religious ideas’. Consider the many people who reject Gospel tracts or Gospel calendars, and who decline invitations to Gospel meetings for fear somebody they know might see them. The world is overflowing with cowards who will lose their souls because they are as spineless as Pilate.
Christians can be affected by cowardice too, although we all know Christians who are bold and forthright about their faith. Consider the martyrs of North Korea and some of the radical Moslem nations, dozens of whom are dying every week because of their courage. Consider the preachers and other Gospel workers who boldly travel the streets to witness and to invite folks to meetings despite the heavy barrage of insults, cold shoulders, blunt rejections, and unfriendly dogs. Consider the college students who openly carry their Bibles among their books despite the scoffers around them. All these dear folks – and many more – show us that it is possible to be bold for Christ, and remind us that too many of us are not. The fear of man is a great hindrance, keeping us from being the witnesses that our Lord would appreciate us to be.
We cannot wash the blood of the sinners around us off our hands unless we have first told them about the blood that will wash all their sins away. -Jim MacIntosh