The Declarations of Pilate (John 19)

1. Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. 4
2. Behold the man! 5
3. Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. 6
4. I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 10
5. Behold your King! 15
6. JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. (What I have written I have written.) 19, 22

Telly Savalas was one of the consummate players of Pontius Pilate on the silver screen. He was of Greek Orthodox heritage. When his mother heard of his being cast for the part, she pleaded with her son, "Telly, please go easy on Jesus this time."

Indeed, Pilate did have the power to condemn or release Jesus, but because of his love for that same power, he acquiesced to the wishes of the vociferous crowd, spurred on by the religious leaders and had Jesus taken away to be crucified.

Never-the-less, his declarations were telling of a few things:

a. that he had an inkling that Jesus was no ordinary man.

b. that he needed to straddle the fence so as to try to please common sense, his conscience, his wife, the people, Caesar and whatever "Higher Power" there might be. Fact is, you have to choose whom you are going to please and go for it. Mugwampers always lose.
Definition: Mugwamper; one who has his mug on one side of the fence and his wamp on the other.

c. that there are some truths that cannot be suppressed. Jesus was "The Man," "The King," and there was no fault to be found in Him.

d. that self-preservation always takes the lead for those who are in the flesh.

Folks, you cannot please the Lord with your lips when your heart is far from Him.