Have you ever said or done something in anger that, even in the moment, you knew you didn’t mean? Maybe it’s just me.
It could be over-stepping the interpretation here, but you have to wonder what was going on in that crowd. Their responses to Pilate are madness.
Crucify him.
His blood be upon us and our children.
Yikes. Much has come of this statement in the text. It’s tragic for what it says and it’s tragic for what has come of it (much blood has been actually spilled because of it).
But that is not Jesus’ will. We know this from the story of it all, his example, and his forgiving ways. It’s always mystifying to me when I hear that someone(s) feel like they need to seek revenge for Jesus’ death, like they haven’t even read the end of the story.
Jesus doesn’t need our defense. He needs our witness.
Speaking of Jesus’ witness, his demeanor throughout his trials is remarkable. Who wouldn’t speak up to their innocence?
His example is significant for us. Between the fear of death and the pressure of lies all around him, Jesus held up.
Matthew 27:11-26
Jesus was brought before the governor. The governor said, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus replied, “That’s what you say.” But he didn’t answer when the chief priests and elders accused him.
Then Pilate said, “Don’t you hear the testimony they bring against you?” But he didn’t answer, not even a single word. So the governor was greatly amazed.
It was customary during the festival for the governor to release to the crowd one prisoner, whomever they might choose. At that time there was a well-known prisoner named Jesus Barabbas. When the crowd had come together, Pilate asked them, “Whom would you like me to release to you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ?” He knew that the leaders of the people had handed him over because of jealousy.
While he was serving as judge, his wife sent this message to him, “Leave that righteous man alone. I’ve suffered much today in a dream because of him.”
But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and kill Jesus. The governor said, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”
“Barabbas,” they replied.
Pilate said, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”
They all said, “Crucify him!”
But he said, “Why? What wrong has he done?”
They shouted even louder, “Crucify him!”
Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere and that a riot was starting. So he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I’m innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It’s your problem.”
All the people replied, “Let his blood be on us and on our children.” Then he released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus whipped, then handed him over to be crucified.
Prayer1
God,
we pray you graciously to hold us, your family,
for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed,
and given into the hands of sinners,
and to suffer death upon the cross;
who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer.