JESUS, FRIEND OF SINNERS

John 19, Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” “Jesus answered, “I am not an earthly king. If I were, my followers would have fought when I was arrested by the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of the world.” Pilate replied, “But you are a king then?” “Yes,” Jesus said. “I was born for that purpose. And I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth are my followers." Then Pilate had Jesus beaten with a leaded whip, and the soldiers made a crown of thorns and placed it on his head and robed him in royal purple. “Hail, ‘King of the Jews’!” They mocked, and struck him with their fists. Then Jesus was brought out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said, “Behold the man!” At sight of him the chief priests and Jewish officials began yelling, “Crucify! Crucify!” “You crucify him,” Pilate said. “I find him not guilty.” They replied, “By our laws he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.” FRIENDS, PILATE KNEW JESUS WAS TELLING THE TRUTH! HE KNEW THAT JESUS IS THE KING AND JESUS HAS A KINGDOM (GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDER HIS HEADSHIP). PILATE WAS AFRAID TO SENTENCE HIM TO DEATH SO HIS OWN PEOPLE SENTENCED HIM TO DEATH. BUT THE REALITY IS THAT JESUS WAS SENT BY GOD TO SAVE THE WORLD FROM THEIR SINS! Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.