Lent: Day 34

When morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death; they bound him, led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate, the governor.

Pilate went out to the crowd, and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”

They answered him, “If this man weren’t an evildoer, we wouldn’t have delivered him up to you.”

Pilate said, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.”

The Jews replied, “It is not lawful for us to crucify anyone. We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, called Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus answered, “Do you say this yourself, or did others tell you about me?”

Pilate answered, “I’m not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me. What have you done?”

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from here.”

Pilate said to him, “Are you a king then?”

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no basis for a charge against him.” Pilate asked if Jesus was a Galilean. When he found out he was, he sent him to Herod, who was in Jerusalem at the time.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was very happy because he had wanted to see him for a long time; he had heard many things, and hoped to see him do some miracle. He questioned him with many words, but Jesus gave no answers. The chief priests and the scribes stood nearby, vehemently accusing him. Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him, and then sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies, became friends with each other that day.

Reflection

 

Herod and Pilate ruled Galilee and Judea, answering to no one except the emperor in Rome. Both were curious, but neither took Jesus seriously because, as far as they could see, he had no power. Do you know people who ridicule Jesus? How do you respond to those who see Jesus as powerless and insignificant? 

Prayer: When I am in a position to exercise power, Lord, help me keep my heart tender and open to you.