Gospel Lesson: Matthew 27: 11-31
11Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You say so." 12But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. 13Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?" 14But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. 15Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. 16At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas. 17So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?" 18For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. 19While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, "Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him." 20Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. 21The governor again said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas." 22Pilate said to them, "Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" All of them said, "Let him be crucified!" 23Then he asked, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Let him be crucified!" 24So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves." 25Then the people as a whole answered, "His blood be on us and on our children!" 26So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. 27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. 28They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 30They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
Pilate was confused.
Usually, when a prisoner came before him, they either pleaded their innocence with tears and emotion, or they defiantly stood before him proud of their actions against Rome. This prisoner was different. Never had one come before him, said his piece, and stood in silence.
Pilate had asked this man Jesus straightforwardly, "Are you the king of the Jews?" The prisoner’s answer would make all the difference. If this Jesus admitted being king, then Pilate could have him crucified for treason and inciting revolt. If the prisoner denied it, well...he could let him go or crucify him just for ticking off the religious establishment.
But Jesus didn’t give a yes or no answer. This Jesus had dared to put Pilate in a very uncomfortable spot.
Jesus replied, "You say so."
Pilate then understood this was no ordinary prisoner. Pilate saw that Jesus didn’t affirm his question and neither did he deny it. But what he had done was put the burden of judgement upon Pilate himself. "You say so." Meaning, if I choose to see it, I will see him as king of the Jews; however, if I don’t choose to see it, then I won’t label him as king of the Jews. Jesus threw the responsibility of the title right at Pilate’s feet. And Pilate didn’t know what to do.
The chief priests and the scribes launched into their attacks. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind what they wanted. They wanted Jesus dead. They were tired of his usurping their power and their authority. They wanted him out of the way so they could continue manipulating the people as they saw fit. They could continue articulating their picture of God and how God operated without this upstart giving the people what they considered false hope. These chief priests and scribes brought forth accusation after accusation after accusation.
And Jesus remained silent.
Pilate was amazed and confused. What was he to do with this man, Jesus? He was placed in the position of responsibility, and he didn’t want it. His wife had told him that she dreamed about this man. She dreamed that he was innocent. She warned Pilate to have nothing to do with him. But here he was, standing before him, and the crowds demanded action out of him.
"Perhaps," he told himself, "there is a way out of this mess. Let’s see how popular this Jesus is next to a murderer."
Pilate addressed the crowds. "It is my custom to release for you each Passover one prisoner. This year, I will let you decide between Jesus, the king of the Jews or Barabbas, the zealot and murderer. Choose quickly." Pilate was hoping against hope they would choose Barabbas. It would save him plenty of grief if they did. Barabbas was a criminal. He had murdered Romans as he fought their occupation. Rome would have more peace here with that man hung from a cross. "Let them pick Jesus," he thought.
But the chief priests and elders were prepared for this move. They outguessed Pilate. Their hatred for Jesus burned supreme. They moved among and manipulated the crowd. "Tell him to release Barabbas," they said. "He is fighting for your freedom. He is fighting to relieve you of Roman oppression. Put your voices up for him. This Jesus doesn’t want you to fight against Rome. He betrays the kingdom of Israel." Their arguments worked. The crowd began to chant, "Release Barabbas. Release Barabbas."
Pilate had no choice. The crowd was worked to a frenzy. If he denied their request, they were liable to riot. Rome had told him in no uncertain terms to keep the peace. A riot during the great Jewish holiday certainly wasn’t doing that. Pilate had to succumb. He had no choice. He released Barabbas.
But he still didn’t want responsibility for Jesus. He didn’t want to condemn him. Pilate wanted to be free and clear. "Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" Pilate asked.
"What shall I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?"
What indeed?
What shall we do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?
For we know the story of what happens next. We know that Pilate washes his hands of Jesus’ blood. We know that Pilate relieves himself of responsibility and hangs Jesus out to dry. We know that Jesus is whipped. We know Jesus carries his own instrument of execution. We know Jesus is hung from the cross. We know Jesus is crucified. We know Jesus dies for you and for me and dies not for the peace of Rome, but dies for the peace of the world. We know Jesus rises again on the third day in power and in glory–and sends a resounding message that God triumphs over death and the grave. We know Jesus offers forgiveness, hope, peace, and love to all of us who fall short of the glory of God.
So what shall we do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?
Shall we find his teachings too difficult? Shall we find following his footsteps too much of a burden? Shall we find that forgiveness is easy enough for Him but too hard for us? Shall we find it easier to wash our hands of the responsibility of being Christ like and walk away from Him and what He stands for to pursue our own wants, cares, and concerns?
What shall we do with this Jesus who is called the Messiah?
Or shall we reflect deeply upon what He has done for us? Shall we contemplate with great joy and great sadness the cost He paid for us with his suffering and with his death? Shall we ponder how, from the cross he spoke, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," knowing we are included in that statement. Shall we ponder how his death and resurrection has opened the way for you and for me to have eternal life?
Shall we ponder how Jesus empowers us to live our lives to the fullest experiencing a true joy and a true peace that the world cannot give?
What shall we do with this Jesus who is the Messiah?
Shall we wash our hand of responsibility and keep him at arm’s length? Or shall we welcome him into our hearts and live lives of thankfulness and praise rejoicing in what He has done, is doing and will do?
What, indeed, shall we do with this Jesus who is the Messiah? Amen.
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