Jesus and the Roman Judge

11Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

12When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

15Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd.16At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus^b Barabbas. 17So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

19While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

21“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

22“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

23“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

24When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

25All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

26Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.  (Matthew 27:11-26)

Thoughts: It is evident that Pilate wanted to find a reason to let Jesus go.  His wife told him to let him go.  He found no reason to condemn Him- even asking the crowd, "Why, what crime has he committed?"  He tried to let Him go and have Barabbas imprisoned instead.  But the crowd was insistent and Pilate did not have the guts to stand up for justice against a lynch-mob.  The Roman government was one of the best at creating laws and enforcing fairness.  The Romans gave the Pax Romana about this time that Jesus died.  The Romans gave us the common law which is based mainly on Roman thought.  But here the law failed.  Both the Jewish Law and the Roman Law- and the most innocent of all men was condemned to a horrible death.  Certainly this part of the Passion of Christ reminds us of the injustice inherent in life.  Yet we see this in face of the cross.  Injustice does not win in the end.  

Prayer: Lord, let me live justly and truthfully before you, even if no one else sees it.  Let me not simply live to please others- who are impossible to please.