24 Hours That Changed the World - Jesus, Barabbas and Pilate

"I'm washing my hands of this situation," When was the last time you heard someone say that?

This week we follow Jesus from the High Priest's house to the court of Pontius Pilate, governor of the
Roman province around Jerusalem. He had two responsibilities as governor - to collect taxes for Rome and to keep the peace. He had the authority to do these things in whatever ways he felt necessary. Jesus was certainly not the first person who had been brought before him for trial and sentencing. Many before and after were found guilty of disrupting the "peace" that Roman rule required. Many before and after were sentenced to swift punishment, including public flogging and embarrassment and death.

Jesus' silence: 
Jesus' encounter with Pilate is interesting, to the say the least, because we don't get the sense that Pilate doesn't really want to do Jesus any harm. He tries to convince the leaders gathered and the crowd  around the palace that Jesus could be let go. But when public opinion demanded the release of an insurgent criminal instead of Jesus, Pilate literally washed his hands of the situation, letting Barabbas go and sentencing Jesus to death. But that's getting ahead of the story.

When Jesus appeared before Pilate, he remained virtually silent, which was extremely frustrating to Pilate. Pilate knew that the chief priests were less concerned about whether Jesus had broken the law, accusing him out of envy, fear and hatred. We have to wonder why Jesus didn't defend himself. Have you ever had that experience, not speaking up when accused of violations, real or imagined. Would anything Jesus said have convinced Pilate to decide a different outcome? Or was this in inevitable path for what Jesus' declared would happen?

Understanding Atonement:
At-one-ment - that's what Jesus did for us - became one with us. Through his death, he took on our sins. It was a redemptive act. It had meaning, not just in the moment, but for all time. It seems simple, but is complicated. Theologians have long struggled with how to understand this concept. Atonement is about reconciliation with God. Atonement is about bringing the world in line with God's plan from creation. Atonement is about grace and new life and second (and third and fourth....) chances. It is inconceivable and unbelievable and the best gift we have ever received.

Which way do we choose?
When Pilate decided he didn't want to decide Jesus' fate, he enlist the crowd gathered to have them choose. Barabbas was another messianic leader, but one who preached of government overthrow and change of the world through power. Jesus preached an entirely different message - one of sacrificial love. Easy versus hard... which way would you choose? Which do we choose today?

Stations of the Cross

One of the things that people usually do when they visit the Holy Land is to retrace the steps of Jesus through this last week. It's been a tradition for centuries, especially during the the Lenten season. Here are several websites which will explain more about the stations. Two of them would be especially helpful for families with children.

Stations of the Cross - Devotional Guide
Stations of the Cross - Creighton University

Children and their Families Walk With Jesus
Children's Art and Faith

Peace, Deb