(Text and Audio)
Title: That Just Man
One extreme to the other. (Cavs over the last 7 years.)
Today we are going from one extreme to another. Let me explain.
In last week’s sermon, all four Gospels accounted for the notorious Barabbas. And, as we looked at in detail last week, it was our gospel of study, Matthew, that had the least to say about Barabbas, only noting he was “notorious.”
We gained much insight and clarity by looking to the other three gospels (most especially Luke) to get a fully picture of the events.
But today, we are looking at a person (Pilate’s wife) that appears in one single verse in all of scripture.
Only Matthew notes the warning of Pilate’s wife from her dream. So we must dig our heels into this one gospel, and attempt to wean as much from this account as we can.
Of course this isn’t going to happen without the Spirit’s blessing, so let us delay no further in the reading of the text and the asking of God’s blessing.
Matthew 27:19
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.”
“While he was sitting on the judgment seat”
He was in ponderance of what to do. He was vexed, he was in a tough position, he had yet to make a ruling.
(It is my contention that after his wife’s warning, he devised a plan so absolve himself of any wrongdoing, by making the very public spectacle of himself in v. 24)
“his wife sent to him”
The way this is worded suggest the wife of Pilate was not personally present, but she sent a messenger. Matthew Henry firmly believes this message was delivered out loud (as was the custom) so that not only Pilate, but the Jewish leadership heard it as well.
Matthew Henry:
While Pilate was thus labouring the matter, he was confirmed in his unwillingness to condemn Jesus, by a message sent him from his wife (v. 19), by way of caution; Have thou nothing to do with that just man (together with the reason), for I have suffered many things this day in a cream because of him. Probably, this message was delivered to Pilate publicly, in the hearing of all that were present, for it was intended to be a warning not to him only, but to the prosecutors.
Reflective Pause:
It’s unlikely that Pilate’s wife was anything other than a Roman pagan. (If she were anything else, that would be extremely unusual and you’d think it would be noted somewhere in the Gospel accounts.)
So imagine you are Pilate, and you already have some healthy doubts as to Jesus’s guilt in what he’s being charged, and then you received word that your wife has been divinely warned to “leave this man alone.”
Furthermore, the prosecution, and your servants, also hear this warning. It makes a tough decision much tougher.
Over the years, there has been some interesting theological debate as to the origin of this divine warning to Pilate’s wife. I’ll summarize the argument:
(Slide on the dream’s origin.)
In either case, Pilate’s wife does say something that becomes the central point.
“…that just man…”
I want us to focus for a moment on that word: Just.
Slides on “diakios”
Conclusion:
Pilate’s wife has been clearly told that Jesus is not only just in character (a righteous person) but also just judicially (these charges are false).
Point/Application:
Sometimes we are Pilate.
We are forced to make a ruling where we have a strong leaning toward what is right, and we know making the right ruling will bring dire consequences for us and those around us. But we must resist the urge to rationalize, or remove ourselves from the picture. (Pilate will attempt to do both.)
Good Christians make hard decisions.
Sometimes we are Pilate’s wife.
We are burdened by a message that we don’t fully understand, but feel compelled to share it. We sense that this message is part of a bigger story, but we only have a small role to play. We must live convictional lives and be honest with ourselves, before we hope to be honest with those around us.
Pray/Q&A