Pontius Pilate had the power as governor to free Jesus. He knew that the chief priests and the elders had brought him there because of jealousy and spite. He knew in his conscience that he was innocent. His wife even sends a note to him to not have anything to do with the innocent man. He tries to defend Jesus to the crowd but the pressure is too much and he gives in. He had too much to lose (popularity, his own ambitions, his position). However, before making his decision he washes his hands clean of this innocent man's blood and says it is the crowd's responsibility.
I think as Christians we too have found ourselves in moments where we do not stand up to the crowds that mock our faith and our God. God gives us the knowledge, the power and prompts us to defend Him and his word but we back down and stay quiet because we might have too much to lose--just like Pilate. And just like Pilate we wash our hands of responsibility too by saying we are not like them.
This passage shows that we do bear the responsibility when our Lord is unfairly mocked and blasphemed and we sit quiet and do nothing with the power and knowledge that we are given.
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1 comment:
thanks for your reflection, christine. you are very right to point out how much we are like pontius pilate in that we don't stand up for our faith because we, like pilate, have too much to lose. pilate knew the truth, and he knew what the right thing to do was, yet he lacked the moral character to do it.
how much we are like pilate! those who will rightfully face condemnation on the day of judgment will certainly not face it for lack of knowledge. we will be justly condemned for evil in its worst form: knowing the truth, knowing the right thing to do, and refusing to do it, whatever the reason might be.
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