Pontius Pilate was not a vicious man. He was a coward. He lacked the courage of his convictions. He lacked the strength of character to defy public opinion. He was afraid to risk his political position by doing what he knew was right.

As a judge he found Christ innocent of the charges brought against Him. He said, "I find no fault in this Man" (Luke 23:4). Law and conscience demanded that He be released, but the leaders of Israel were determined to have His blood and Pilate preferred to see this "just man" slain rather than risk the enmity of the Jewish leaders. He was afraid of what they might say to Caesar and feared that their lies might cost him his position as governor of Judea.

There are still plenty of Pilates in politics and in every other business of life as well. They would like to do what they know to be right, but they are afraid to take a position contrary to popular opinion They think more of their own popularity than they do of justice. There are parents who permit their children to do things which are against their own conscience because other young people are doing those things and because the parents lack the courage to be firm with their own children. There are teachers who compromise their convictions rather than offend some members of the school board. There are preachers who fail to preach against sin because they are afraid of stepping on the toe of some prominent member of the congregation.

We need nothing so much as firm conviction and the courage to stand by it. According to tradition, Pilate lost his position as governor of Judea after the crucifixion of Christ. He was recalled to Rome and sent into exile, where he died. Sacrificing his convictions, he sacrificed the respect of all men who know from the Bible the story of his cowardice. The man who compromises always loses the respect of those whose love and favor he seeks to gain.

—Selected