Holy Tuesday: Jesus Before Pilate

Opening Prayer: Lord on this Holy Tuesday we thank you that you deeply know us. There probably were many who thought they knew Jesus. But in the end, their surprise at Jesus’ promise to rise again, shows how little they really knew him or took him at his word. Help up to always, always take you at your word, to remember your

promises, and to put our trust not in our faith but in the truth of your essence which is to love, to above all things, to love. Amen.

Reading: John 18:28-40 New International Version (NIV)

“Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So, Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die. Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this, he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.

Message: The story of Jesus before Pilate is one of betrayal, but more importantly, I think it is about how people choose to use their power and influence. The encounter between Jesus and Pilate is put into motion by Judas. We know that Judas had some authority within the group of disciples because he was the keeper of the money bag (John 12:6). Matthew tells us that Judas contacted the chief priests and initiated the contract to betray Jesus (Mt. 26:14-16). Judas used his power and his influence to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

The chief priests representing the religious sector had been trying to figure out a way to be rid of Jesus for some time. Jesus’ first trial is before the Sanhedrin, a group of 71 members who controlled civil and religious law. They use their immense power and influence to devise a way to capture Jesus in secret and to bring him before Pilate. In effect, the Sanhedrin use their great might to pass the buck onto Pilate. Pontius Pilate, the fifth governor over Judea under Emperor Tiberius, wants to use his power to free Jesus but caves, and by the washing of his hands, Pilate passes the buck back to the Sanhedrin. The choices made by Judas, the Sanhedrin, and Pilate sentenced Jesus to death on the cross. They used their power to destroy, rather than to bring life. They used their power to their own benefit and to maintain the status quo.

Thanks be to God. We also know that it was Jesus’ choice to go to the cross. We know that it was the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead, permitting him to walk among his disciples before he ascended into heaven. God used God’s power to send the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter. We also know that God’s power is not a power that seeks glory for itself but is generated out of God’s love for us. Let’s be mindful of the ways we can use our power to be regenerative, giving life.

Closing Prayer:  Thank you God for your life-giving power. Let it this power flow freely in me and through me that the world may experience the regeneration that Agapé love brings. Amen