English has been the primary language in America since the early British settlements of the 1600’s. Described as the Great American Melting Pot in Saturday Morning advertisements aired while children watched cartoons during the 1980’s, this country has gone through a major cultural transformation. Instructions enclosed inside new products have multiple languages, with Spanish and English always mentioned. Electronic telephone directions are played in English first, then Spanish. In addition, depending upon the airport you travel through, intercom updates can be heard in Japanese, German or French.
Believe it or not, Pontus Pilate was ahead of his time. After his wife was warned in a dream, likely a nightmare, Matthew 27:19, Pilate tried to pass the buck and responsibility for Jesus onto the religious leaders. According to John 19:1-16, Pilate tried to persuade them, yet gave into public pressure. However, in a last ditch effort to wash his hands of Jesus’ death, Pilate does something remarkable in John 19:19-20. While he had a notice prepared and fastened to Jesus’ cross that read, “King of the Jews,” few recognize the last words of verse 20. Like modern America, Pilate had ordered 3 separate plaques, in each of the 3 major languages of the day.
Maybe Pilate’s wife was mad at him, twisting his arm to have these 3 signs made. Possibly a deep sense of remorse filled Pilate’s soul, inspiring him to do something in his power. Or God, through the whisper of the Holy Spirit urged Pilate to inscribe the truth about Jesus for all to see in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. Although, no one will know for sure until heaven, I suspect the hand of God played a vital role, helping Pilate be ahead of his time in communicating to all nations the truth about Jesus!
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 