The words, ”If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend” (John 19:12) struck terror in the soul of Pilate. Three times he had said, “I find no fault in him.” (John 18:38, 19:4, 19:6) but now his politics “forced” him to crucify the promised Messiah, King of the world. His political future rested on being Caesar’s friend. He washed his hands showing he believed Jesus was an innocent man (Matthew 27:24). He did nothing to stop the crucifixion; his hand washing was the green light to let the crucifixion proceed. Jesus suffered under Pilate’s politics. His teachings are still nailed to the tree because we so much want to be a friend of Caesar. His kingdom teachings are far too radical for the kingdoms of this world so we act like “we have no king but Caesar”.
“From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”…. “Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar!’” John 19:12, 15 (NKJV).
