I would like for you to think about four little words this morning as we continue through what’s referred to as the “Passion of Christ.”  Those words are…”the fix is in.” This term is usually associated with sports and politics—but it finds its way into many areas of life. It basically means…the outcome has been predetermined. Today—as we continue with the narrative that describes for us the events of Jesus’ trial before Pilate—you will see…the fix is in.

Last week in 18:28-40 we learned that Caiaphas, the high priest, had presided over the trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin and then sent Him to Pilate in hopes that He would be executed (18:31). Pilate—not wanting to be associated with killing an innocent man pressed the Jews for a charge against Jesus…only to discover there really wasn’t one. Their answer to his question, “what charges are you bringing against this man,” was nothing more than “trust us…He’s guilty.” Pilate didn’t have much trust for the Jews at all.

Is there any reason for Pilate to distrust the Jews in this case? Let’s think about that for a moment; 1) they had Jesus arrested in the middle of the night, 2) they had Him tried, convicted, and sentenced by morning, and 3) they wanted Pilate to kill Him and then have Him in the ground by evening. Sounds like the fix was in at that trial.

We know that Pilate said, “He could find no basis for a charge against Him” (18:38). But—Pilate was in the midst of a great predicament. He says two more times here in chapter 19 (4,6) that he believes Jesus is innocent…and even “tries to set Jesus free” (12). But—the religious leaders will have nothing to do with that…because the fix is in. They have every intention of doing whatever is necessary to see Jesus killed.

Notice what Pilate does in an effort to release Jesus and remove himself from any responsibility for His death. 3 words

1. Humiliation

Pilate believes that he can present Jesus beaten and battered to the Jews and placate their insatiable desire for His death. He goes about this by turning Jesus over to his soldiers.

Notice how the soldiers go about humiliating Jesus: they flog Him; they put a crown of thorns on His head; they put a purple robe on Him; they pay homage to Him by striking Him in the face; then Pilate parades Him out with the announcement, “Here is the man,” seeking to make a mockery of Jesus.

Not much has changed over the years where the world is concerned with Jesus. Some of you might remember in 1989 when the Southeastern Center of Contemporary Arts Award for “Visual Art” went to a photograph of a crucifix in a glass of urine. $15,000

Pilate had a huge problem on his hands. A hostel crowd that wanted more than a humiliated man…they wanted a man on the cross. Pilate can clearly see the fix is in on Jesus.

2. Self-preservation

When Pilate’s attempt to offer the Jews a beaten and humiliated Jesus in lieu of execution didn’t work…he tries to remove himself from the situation altogether. You take Him and crucify Him (v7). Pilate finds himself in the midst of political quicksand. The more he tries to get out of the situation…the deeper he gets.

Now—notice what the Jews, who are pretty politically savvy themselves, do to intimidate Pilate even more in verse 7. They say that Jesus said He is the Son of God . I like what Gerald Borchet says in his commentary about this situation, “Like all Romans, whose lives are bound up with the Pantheon and who had heard of stories about gods visiting the earth in human form, the thought of a god-man in his presence would not have been welcomed for Pilate.”

Pilate’s wife had sent him a message to not get involved with this man (Mat. 27:19), the Jews are persistent in wanting Jesus crucified, and now he’s told that Jesus claims to be God. I’m sure by now Pilate is convinced the fix is in and they intend for him to be a part of it. When you think about it—Pilate’s dilemma is similar to one that we all face…what to do with the God-man, Jesus.

Most likely all of us here have heard the story of God visiting earth in human form (The Gospel). Perhaps it wasn’t a welcomed thought for you at first. It caused a dilemma in your heart and mind…what am I to do with this man, Jesus?

Unfortunately, Pilate’s answer to his dilemma is like so many still today. “Now where did you say You were from?” “You do realize I have power over you…don’t You?” And then most people will walk away. Are you one of those who are walking away from Jesus?

3. Determination

John tells us in verse 12 that Pilate tries to set Jesus free…but the Jews will have no part of it. The fix is in and they fully intend to see it through. The straw that breaks the camel’s back in this situation is when the Jews pit Jesus against Caesar. When Pilate heard the Jews say in verse 12, “If you let this man go, you are no friend to Caesar,”..he knew they would have something to hold over his head from then on.

The determination of the Jews is demonstrated in verse 15 when presented with a choice between Jesus and Caesar. In verses 39-40 the choice was Jesus or Barabbas…now it’s Jesus or Caesar and they choose Caesar.

You and I live in a society among people who are no different than the religious Jews of the first century. When their personal power, pleasure, and prestige was threatened…they were determined to protect it no matter who they had to side with.

We live in a country where more than 80% profess to be Christian and yet the majority ask people to lead in every area of government that promote gambling as our financial answer, abortion as family planning, and same sex marriage as the answer to most social issues. Are we choosing Caesar over Christ? Does personal power, pleasure, and prestige mean more to us than persevering in our relationship with Christ?

Church—the fix was in on this trial. But it was not done by Judas, the religious Jews, or Pilate…it was God. And the reason He did it was so men and women, boys and girls could live everyday with hope in their hearts through faith in His Son...Jesus Christ. Because when we’re born we all have a heart that is prone to humiliate the Word of Christ by the way we live. Our focus is on self-preservation rather than honoring God…and we are so determined to get the things we want—most of us will stop at nothing.

Praise God He put the fix in to protect us from ourselves. Our sinful thoughts, desires, and actions.

Praise God He provided a solution to our problem. Jesus paying the price of sin for us.

Praise God we can still participate in the solution today. Ask Jesus to forgive you.