Pilate

 

Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd,

“I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

Luke 23:4 

I am not a fan of modern-day politics of any stripe.  I am even less fond of politics & power mixed with religion. But that nasty brew as been around for a long time.  Just take a look at Pilate.

The Roman governor knew from the moment the religious leaders stalked through the doors that they were on a mission that had nothing to do with justice or truth.  He announced that there was no basis for a charge, then passed the political buck to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem for the Passover.  Herod played a few of his sadistic games, then sent Jesus back to Pilate.  Pilate again said, “I find no basis for your charges against him.”  And that should have been that.

But the mob rose up screaming and yelling, driven on by the religious rulers, and Luke records, “their shouts prevailed.”  Pilate buckled to political pressure that threatened his power, his control, and his career standing with the big boss Caesar – a decision that would forever haunt him.

Today's Summer Reading:  Luke 22-24