Chapter 4:
Jesus and Pilate
Jesus is returned to Pontius Pilate. "So You are a king?" Pilate asked again. Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king, but I'm not just any king; I Am the King of kings and the Lord of lords. I was born for this reason. I have come to testify to the Truth. All who love the truth hear My voice and recognize that what I say and preach is truth."
Pilate asked, "What is Truth?" Jesus answered, "I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no Man shall come to My Father's throne or His Kingdom but through Me."
Pilate trembled. His servant, who heard this entire conversation, bowed before Jesus. "I believe." Jesus said to Pilate, "Your servant believes because the Spirit has convicted him of his sin, his lack of righteousness and coming judgment. He will do that to all who'll believe."
Pilate led Jesus outside. "I have heard Him and I do not find fault with Him. You Jews have a custom of asking me to release to you a prisoner for Passover. I have such a one." He spoke to Abernader, "Bring me Barrabas." "Yes, sir." Barrabas came out, chained. "Who shall I release to you? Barrabas, the murderer or Jesus, the Christ?" Caiaphas answered, "He should die because He has claimed to be God. Give us Barrabas. Crucify Him!" Pilate answered, "And what if He is?"
Pilate said to his first officer, "Flog Him and bring Him back."
Jesus was flogged, according to Jewish and Roman law.
As Jesus was returned, Pilate asked Him in private, "Where are you from?" Jesus answered, "I am from above, from Heaven. Before Abraham was, I AM. I was a spirit like My Father is Spirit. I was born of a virgin and have lived without sin. I live as God and Man. " Pilate answered, "Impossible." "With God, Pilate, all things are possible. My coming was predicted 500 years before I came to be. My Father and I inspired the words of the prophets, which you have yet to read." Pilate said, "My wife I should have nothing to do with you. What are you doing to her, disturbing her sleep?" Jesus answered, "Your wife is having visions of Me because the Spirit tells her the Truth and she believes." Pilate asked, "Do you know that I have the power to release you or send you to your death?" Jesus answered, "You, My son, have no power over Me unless it was given to You by My Father in Heaven. He who handed me over to you has the greater sin." "Caiaphas?"
Pilate walked out, "I wish to release this Man." "If you release Him, you are no friend of Caesar's," Caiaphas answered. "We're not friends anyway, so what's it matter?" Laughter was heard. "Anyone who claims to be a King is a rebel against Caesar." "Caesar's kingdom is temporary; this Man's kingdom is eternal. I wish to release and believe in Him, but you don't give me that choice."
Pilate motioned Jesus outside. "Here is your King!" Pilate bowed. Caiaphas said, "He is no King! No King but Caesar! Crucify Him!" The people shouted, "Crucify Him!" Pilate washed his hands. "Crucify Him by your own laws." "He looked at Jesus, "I would've released you." "And you would've been right. I choose to die for the sins of the world. No one can take My life from Me. I lay it down and I will bring it up again. Your sins are forgiven you, Pilate." Then Jesus was lead away.