THE LORD JESUS ON TRIAL BEFORE PILATE "When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it," Matthew 27:24. (Preached in Tavistock FPC) The sinfulness of man is seen in his determination to slay the Lord Jesus, the Holy and the Just One, Who went about doing good. If men were offended at Christ, it was His purity that offended them. The blindness of man is seen at Calvary. Those who remained unconvinced by the Lord Jesus and His claims cannot be convinced. Light never shone more brightly than it did in the countenance and words and works of the Saviour. Yet men saw it not. We could list every aspect of man's depravity and see it displayed at the cross. The Saviour's presence had the effect of bringing light to bear upon the darkened souls of men and showing up their true character. All wickedness creeps forth to show its face in the presence of the Redeemer. Sins great and small are there. Our faces are all to be found in the crowd that sought His crucifixion. We may not be found amidst the hate-filled Sadducees and priests. But may we not see our hearts and minds reflected in Pilate. He had no pleasure in this business. He had a desire to release Christ. He felt uneasy about condemning Him, but what did he do?? He tried to please two opposing forces, his conscience and the crowd. He is a lesson in failure. Consider our text.