Who's On Trial?

Luke 23.1-25

Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.’ Then Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ He answered, ‘You say so.’ Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, ‘I find no basis for an accusation against this man.’ But they were insistent and said, ‘He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.’

When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.’

Then they all shouted out together, ‘Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!’ (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’ A third time he said to them, ‘Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.’ But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

Reflection

On this Maundy Thursday we’ll focus on the Last Supper. We’ll note the depth of Jesus’ affection for his companions. We’ll see a demonstration of the power of service and being served as we recall the washing of feet in the Upper Room. While we’ll be sad, we can draw comfort from these images of friendship and devotion. But lest we become too comfortable, too maudlin, we have this reading from the breviary to remind us of where everything is headed: the cries of “Crucify, crucify him!”

Those who had only days earlier lauded Jesus now call for his death. Their expectations had not been met, their dreams not been fulfilled and so they turn on the man they thought was their Messiah. In doing so, they demonstrated not that Jesus was a false savior, but that they were indeed in need of salvation. Fortunately, while they turned on Jesus, he didn’t turn on them. Pain. Brokenness. Being lost. Jesus understands what we deal with. And, though we may find it all too tempting to turn away from him when the chips are down, when we most need him, he comes to us.