Ella Rydzewski, click here
to update your web pages on AuthorsDen.
Blogs by Ella Rydzewski
Pilate's Story 8/14/2017 2:24:07 PM
The Easter story as seen by Pilate Pilate’s Story
I have always felt a bit of sympathy for Pilate as the man seemingly responsible for carrying out the crucificixion of Jesus. He found himself in a dilemma. He appeared to make an effort to save Jesus when he didn’t have to. After all Pilate was a Roman, an unbeliever. Committing men to execution was part of his job. He had done it many times before--to criminals, terrorists, and general troublemakers. It shouldn’t have been that difficult. Jesus came before him as a troublemaker-- a revolutionary. But this time it was difficult for Pilate. He tried to change the mind of the crowd and let Jesus go. After talking with Jesus, He recognized his innocence, and I like to think he was a little persuaded.
But this loving Jew couldn’t change the minds of the hateful Jewish leaders who instigated the crowds. And we are told even evil angels hid in the crowd. Finally Pilate washes his hands to symbolically show he has no part in this decision to kill an innocent man. He looks on the crowd with disdain. He is afraid of the Jews, but he is more afraid for his job and his future. He doesn’t stand for what he knows is right--the truth.
Yet it was Pilate himself who looked at Jesus as asked “What is truth?” He looked in the face of truth itself--truth in human form and did not know “What is truth?” An interesting thing happened. Jesus did not answer. And Pilate did not stay but turned and left. He walked out on truth.
I can sympathize with Pilate. He had been around Jewish leaders for a long time in his jurisdiction. And He did not see truth. Instead he saw hypocrisy, and corruption. He probably didn’t see Jews any differently than his own religious Romans. He probably saw them as a little bit crazy with their numerous off shoots and persons claiming to be messiahs. He certainly did not trust them.
One wonders why didn’t Jesus give him a Bible study or at least speak up. But Jesus did not say anything. It wasn’t His way. Jesus does not answer all the questions for us.
So it is today, educated people, especially in the sciences ask, What is truth? They do research, speculate and build on the theories of the last two centuries. They continually learn and find only more questions and mysteries. They are generally honest people and most of them are not Christians but agnostics or humanists or atheists. When they are Christians the dilemma can be stressful being pulled by theories and peer pressure.
But like Pilate most don’t want to be involved. They understand honesty and innocence. But when faced with What is truth? They turn and walk away not wanting to hear the answer to this metaphysical question. Too much is at stake.
And what about the Christians in this world? Others find us rather insignificant at best, and laughable at worst? How do we tell them the Good News--the Pilates of our societies?
