Pilate

Welcome! I have been expecting you. I knew that you would be coming to check on me, and my loyalty to Caesar.

Ever since my mentor Sejanus was executed by Tiberias Caesar, I knew this was coming.

I want to assure you that I am loyal to Caesar.

If it were not for my loyalty to Caesar, I would never be serving here, in this god-forsaken place.

What? You wonder how I could not enjoy living here, in Caesarea and Jerusalem, in such fine palaces with all the finest accommodations?

I assure you, I am grateful for such wonderful quarters. I am grateful to Caesar for his gracious, bountiful provisions for me.

It is not the place. It is not the provisions. It is the people!

These are the most difficult, stiff-necked people to rule!

That is why, though this land is not a border for the empire, we still need about 120 cavalry and 15,000 soldiers!

When I first came to this region, I put up banners of our great emperor in this very city. The Jews were so incensed that they came and held a great protest at my palace in Caesarea. They would not budge!

After a great debate, and my insistence that they accept the banners of Caesar, they were obstinate, and unwielding. They threatened even greater revolt!

I called in my troops, but at the sight of the soldiers, they literally bared their necks to become martyrs! They would have started a great rebellion throughout the region because they did not want banners of Caesar in their city.

Just last year, because I am loyal to Caesar, I tried placing shields with the great name of Caesar on them in my palace in this city. This time, there was no image of Caesar. They could not protest claiming religious grounds of me placing an idol.

Still they protested all the way to Rome through Herod’s sons.

Though I still feel they dishonored Caesar, I listened to Tiberias and moved the shields to Caesarea instead of hanging them here.

I am truly loyal to Caesar, though ruling this obstinate people for him is so difficult. It is these Jews. They do not honor Caesar, and yet they make me out to be disloyal when I try to honor Caesar.

Ironic you should come today, of all days.

They came first thing in the morning, within the first hour I normally conduct business, roughly your 6 AM.

They sent in this man, Jesus, but they would not come in themselves.

Their arrogance. Thinking that to come into my home would defile them and they would not be able to participate in their religious holiday.

I had to go out to them!

“What accusation to you bring against this man?”

Their smart answer… “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.”

“You take him and judge Him according to your law.”

“We cannot legally put Him to death.”

Legally… as if any of this day had to really do with the law.

Then they threw out some allegations.

He leads the nation astray.

He forbids paying taxes to Caesar.

He says He is the Christ, a King.

It was then I realized who this was.

As the governor over these obstinate Jews, I have to keep watch constantly.

I had heard of this Jesus

Many claim Him to be the Jews Messiah.

I have heard some really wild stories about Him feeding thousands of people with a couple fish and a few loaves of bread

I have heard of Him making blind people see, right here in Jerusalem, and lame to walk.

Many people are whispering about Jesus, is He truly the Messiah?

What is a Messiah?

The Jews keep looking for their rightful king to come and set up their kingdom again.

Their prophets foretold their King, a descendant of their great king, David, would come.

They have been looking for him to come.

That is why I need all these soldiers.

Especially this time of year—this, their Passover celebration.

This is their Passover celebration.

They remember how God brought a great leader to them, Moses

This Moses stood up to Pharoah in Egypt long ago, and destroyed Egypt, then leading the people out of slavery in Egypt to come up to take this land for their own nation.

Apparently Moses foretold one who would come like him.

According to their own history, they have always been rebellious.

There were times they rebelled against their great hero, Moses.

Later, when they had kings, even their great king David, there was a rebellion against Him.

When they were conquered by the Babylonians, they rebelled, and the city was destroyed.

It was during those days that their prophets kept telling of a descendant of David who would rise up and reestablish their own nation.

That is what their Messiah is. The one who would be their next King, and set them free.

They keep longing for this Messiah, and waiting to rebel against Rome.

So every year, I need my soldiers on hand to keep an eye out for any rebellion so we can stop it right away.

In fact, just a few years ago, when the people were coming down the road to Jerusalem we heard shouting.

Someone claimed to be their Messiah, and the people were mobbing to revolt.

I sent out the garrison and took care of it.

So, now, they don’t get too noisy when they come in for the Messiah. I showed them.

That is, until this year. This year there was a lot of noise, but we can see the road from the fortress.

Looking out, the people were shouting, and waiving palm branches, but it was a man riding in on a donkey. A donkey!

When that man came down the road, he went into the temple.

With all the yelling, I had the men ready to go.

Then, this man gets off the donkey, walks into the temple, and starts throwing out the market people.

He was turning over tables, chasing out animals and people alike!

I loved seeing that! I didn’t send in the soldiers because it was too fun seeing this happen!

The priests… the priests.... They really run this whole thing.

They went with their guards to stop him.

This is their biggest money maker of the year! They didn’t like losing their money changers.

Would you believe, our currency isn’t good enough for them. They have their own Jewish temple money.

People have to trade their money in for Temple money. And the priests make a killing on it!

Then, the people use that money to buy animals for sacrifice… from the priests.

And, the people have to give money as an offering to the temple and the priests! Of course, they accept our real money for those offerings! What a money racket they have.

Anyway, I watched from the fortress as the priest confront Jesus. And then they walk away!

Truth be told, I have heard that they were afraid to to anything because this Jesus was so popular from all the things He has done. So, I was shocked when they brought Him in.

I have since found out from my spies that they arrested him in the middle of the night, so no one would know.

Then they took him to the old high priests’ home, and then to his son-in-law, the current high priest’s home for their own trials.

Then, they brought him to me.

Where was I...

Oh yes...

This Jesus is thought by many to be their Messiah. That is why the priests were afraid to do anything publically to him.

They brought him to me to deal with, I think, because they were afraid to do it themselves!

They said some ridiculous things about not paying taxes to Caesar… though between you and me, that isn’t true.

My spies told me that just this week, they had tried to get Jesus to say people shouldn’t pay their taxes, but this Jesus had said, Give to Caesar what is his, and give to God what is God’s. He did not tell people to not pay taxes… but, they said he claimed to be King.

Now, if he really claimed to be the King of the Jews, that could lead to trouble, so I went to check it out.

"Are you the King of the Jews.”

He asked me, “Are you saying this for yourself, or did others tell you this about me?”

“Am I a Jew?” What should I care? Why should I want you for a King? I am not claiming you are a King. And apparently your own people don’t want you for a King. They turned you over to me!

What have you Done that they brought you to me?

“My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now my kingdom is not from here.”

If His kingdom is not of this place, and his servants would have fought against the Jews, then I did not have to worry about him leading a rebellion here among the Jews.

But, was he really a king somewhere?

So, I asked him again… “Are You a King then?

“As you say; you are right that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Truth? What is truth? Truth does not much matter with the people who handed him over to me.

I took him out and told those pompous priests, who were still outside, of course, since they were so religious… religious liars…

Anyway, I went out and told them he didn’t do anything wrong for me to punish him. I found no real fault in him.

If anyone should have been on trial, it was them for lying about him.

Then, they started yelling all kinds of accusations against him. You could hear, you could see the venom seething from their mouths as they spoke against him.

I looked at this Jesus, and He just stood there.

“Do you not hear how many things they testify against You. Do you have nothing to say in your defence?”

But he didn’t say a word.

I could not get over how calm He was.

By now, it was getting busier, and more people had come out.

You know how it is when there is some yelling and shouting going on. Everyone has to come and see.

Well, I told the priests and crowd that I still could not find a fault in this guy.

They wouldn’t have it! They were even more upset and started talking about how Jesus was spreading rebellion starting in Galilee and coming all the way to Jerusalem...

Galilee? Ah, finally, a way to get rid of these guys!

Herod, that half-Jew ruler over Galilee was here in Jerusalem for the Passover. He is still miffed at me for dealing with some Galileans years back. They were rebelling, and I had them killed and mixed their blood with their sacrifices, as an example to everyone.

But since they were from Galilee, Herod was bent out of shape because I did not turn them over to him!

If Jesus was from Galilee, I could just get all these guys out of my hair by sending them over to Herod. He wants to deal with his people instead of me, fine! He can have the headaches!

Would you believe Herod was glad to see him?

I heard afterward about it, because, sadly enough, he sent Jesus back to me…

Anyway, Herod tried to question Jesus, and the priests were just as vehemently against Jesus with Herod as they had been with me.

Herod, being half-Jew, is very familiar with this whole Messiah thing. His father tried to squash those things during his reign years ago. I seem to recall something about killing all of the children under two in a small town not far from here, what was it… Bethelehem. Anyway, he had all the children born there killed a number of years back because it was prophesied that the Messiah would be born there.

Anyway, Herod, he tried Jesus. He mocked Jesus as the Messiah. He put a purple robe on, had his soldiers rough him over a bit. They had their fun, but Jesus wouldn’t react. So, not getting anywhere with Jesus, and growing tired of these stupid priests, Herod sent them all back to me.

Why? Why wouldn’t Herod and I just stand up to these priests? We are the Roman rulers?

Yes we are the rulers! But you would not believe what these people are like! They will not bow to our authority! They are subjugated, but they are not willing to bow! They are obstinate.

Let me tell you what it has been like...

Well, anyway, back to today…

Herod sent them back to me. At least he and I were on the same page. We both saw Jesus as the innocent man he was. We were both tired of dealing with these pompous priests who appear to clean on the outside but are rotten to the core inside. At least through this, Herod and I are coming together.

But, they came back.

Now, as I have told you, these Jews are difficult to rule over. One of the things I do to try to win their hearts and minds is that at their feast, I release one criminal. That makes them happy.

So, I start plotting. The people, from what I have heard, like this Jesus. So, I offered them a choice.

Barabbus - an insurrectionist who had even murdered some Jews

Jesus - the one you think of as your King.

I knew the priests just handed him to me because they were envious. They didn’t do it themselves out of fear for the people, so I would use the people to get me out of this with the priests.

However, it all went haywire.

While I was waiting for the answer from the people, I got a letter from my wife.

Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.

How did she know what was going on?

How did she know about Jesus?

How did she know that he was innocent?

This dream must have come from the gods.

I did not want to do anything to Jesus.

“You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; no neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing worthy of death has been done by Him. I will therefore chastise Him and release Him.”

The Consolidated Gospel Part Fourteen—Jesus Christ’s Humiliation, Abuse, and Death

“You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing worthy of death has been done by Him. I will therefore chastise Him and release Him”

But then the shock… The priests actually persuaded the multitudes, for yes by this time many had gathered. They had nothing else to do.

The priests persuaded the people to ask for Barabbus! The murderer!

I could not believe it. I asked about, Which man do you want me to release? I even consciously had Jesus pushed forward for them to select him.

Not this man, but Barabbus!

But, what do you want me to do with Jesus?

What do you want me to do with the King of the Jews, the Messiah?

Then, they called out, Crucify Him! Crucify! Crucify Him!

I could not believe my ears. They wanted me to crucify this innocent man that just days ago they cheered for as their coming King?

“What evil has He done? I have found NO REASON for death in Him. I will just have him punished and released.”

But they insisted, “Let him be crucified.” I swear, I could hear the priests and their men loudest over the voice of the crowds.

At this point, it was turning into a mob. I did not want there to be a full uprising, and word of this to get to Rome.

But, I could not in good conscience condemn Jesus. So, I took water, and washed my hands of this matter. I told them, I am innocent. You do what you want.”

Would you believe they were so bloodthirsty that they crid out, His blood be on us and on our children!?!

I released Barabbus, and sent Jesus to be flogged.

My soldiers took Jesus away, stripped off his clothing, and whipped him.

Then, they put on a purple robe like a king on Him. They made a crown out of the thorns that grow here, and put it on his head.

They gave him a reed for a sceptre, called him a king and mockingly bowed down. But then they took the reed and beat him over the head with it.

He was a bloody mess. If this crowd wanted blood, then they got it.

I took Jesus out and told them again, I find no fault in him, but here he is. Behold the man!

However, they were not satisfied. The priests started it again. Crucify Him, crucify Him!

They would not be deterred. I said, you take him and do it yourselves, I find no fault in him.

That is when they finally told me. He has to die because He claims to be the Son of God!

A kingdom not of this world! Now I get what He was saying! Could he be a God?

I was terrified. I rushed back inside with Jesus and asked Him, Where are you from?

Jesus would not answer.

I was desperate, Do you not know I have the power to crucify you, and the power to release you?” Huh. I have the power… but I didn’t… truth… what is truth?

Jesus finally answered.

You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater offense against God.”

It made sense to me now. This man was the Son of God. He was not from here. His Kingdom was not of this world. And the priests wanted me to get rid of Him!

I tried to get him released again. I told them I was going to let Jesus go. I have the authority here. Not them.

Then, they said it. “If you let this Man go, you are not a friend of Caesar’s.”

I knew then, that they would lie about me to Caesar, just as they lied to me about Jesus. Knowing that I am under investigation because of my ties with Sejanus whom Caesar just executed, I could not risk their lying worm-tongues against me.

I sat on my judgment seat and said, Behold your King!

They once again cried out, Crucify Him!

I asked one last time, so the people were clear. Shall I crucify your King?

To which the priests, of all people, those priests who so vehemently oppose Rome’s rule, said, We have no king but Caesar!

I had no choice. I gave Jesus to be crucified.

The soldiers took off the purple robe. They had to yank it hard, because his bloodied body had started to clot in the clothing. As they yanked off the purple robe, I saw the agony on his face, that intense, sheer pain which leaves you breathless.

They put the cross beam on him and led him out to be crucified. I could not watch.

I wrote out the crime for which he was being crucified to place on the cross over His head, THIS IS JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS

When the priests saw it, they sneered, Do not write the King of the Jews, but He said I am King of the Jews.

I was done arguing with them. They didn’t care about the truth. They did not care about the truth that He said His kingdom was not of this world. They did not care that He was the Son of God. He did not care that He WAS their King. They did not care that I sent an innocent man to die. I was done. The truth didn’t matter.

What I have written, I have written.

It was between 9 and noon by this time. I sent him to be crucified. It was a long road for someone as beaten as Jesus had been to walk, let alone carry the cross-beam. In fact, it was reported to me that it was too much. Jesus could not do it, so they had another man carry the cross for him. By the time they got to the hill of crucifixion, and hung him up to die, it was about noon.

Then, strange things happened. You had to have seen it! It got dark all over the land for about three hours! In fact, I am writing to Caesar about it now.

At the end of the three hours, there was an earthquake, a loud tearing sound, and the sun came back out. It was scary. What on earth is going on?

Shortly after that, one of my soldiers, the centurion, reported that Jesus had died. He exclaimed, “Certainly this was a righteous man! Truly this Man was the Son of God!”

Could Jesus have died already?

Then those priests came again. Now what did they want.

Now they wanted me to break the legs of the men on the crosses. We had crucified two true criminals when Jesus was crucified. They wanted their legs broken so they would die and be off the crosses before their precious religious holiday was to start. Breaking their legs would make them suffocate faster on the cross.

These priests… such men of compassion for their precious flock as they called the people. If they were shepherds, they were the worst shepherds ever!

I gave the order. Anything to get them out of my sight. But then I received word, Jesus was truly dead. They did not break his legs. They just stuck him with a spear and blood and water flood from his chest. He was truly dead.

Then, Joseph of Arimathea, a good man, unlike these priests asked for Jesus’ body to bury him. I gladly consented.

I guess there are still some good Jews.

This is what I deal with.

I am loyal to Caesar. But these people…

Should I be surprised they would want to turn me over to Caesar as disloyal?

Should I be surprised when they would use me to crucify an innocent man? Should I be surprised when they used me to crucify Jesus?

The truth does not matter to these people.

What is truth? Did you say? The very question I asked of Jesus.

Who do I say Jesus is?

He is a righteous man.

He is the King of the Jews.

He is the Son of God.

He is… the man that I crucified… I crucified… the innocent, righteous Son of God. But, what good is the truth...