LIFE SCRIPTS

Jesus stood before the Roman governor, who questioned him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked. “So you say,” answered Jesus. But he said nothing in response to the accusations of the chief priests and elders. So Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear all these things they accuse you of?” But Jesus refused to answer a single word, with the result that the Governor was greatly surprised.
Matthew 27:11‭-‬14 GNBDC

The scenario of Christ in front of Pontius Pilate mirrored a kangaroo court. Christ stood exposed and accused by hundreds being led by the chief priests and elders. Pontius Pilate, the Roman administrator was tasked with making a decision based on scathing attacks upon Christ which He did not respond to. In verses 12 and 13, as Pilate asked Him whether He’s the King of the Jews, the chief priests and the elders were also throwing accusations against Him in the process. Pilate seemed like a man who had been cornered. However, he was a man in authority answerable not to the chief priests but to the Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus. It was his responsibility to give Christ a fair hearing which he didn’t. Probably because he feared an insurrection or a revolt, he succumbed to the pressure of the chief priests and their mob instead of using his authority to be a custodian of justice. The Pontius Pilate scenario reminds us that when in position of authority we must know that God has placed us there to be custodians of justice. True justice calls for a fair hearing.
Christ’s reaction in this episode, speaks to us about our reaction to accusations. This passage brings out the weakness in the leadership of Pontius Pilate. Even though the scenario was in his court, one group of people seemed to have taken over and dominated him; the chief priests, the elders and their mob. They hurled insults and numerous accusations against Christ even as Pilate questioned Him. However, Christ responded only to Pilate. He chose not to respond to the chief priests and their accusations. He remained silent. A message to us to choose our battles wisely. To ask God to give us wisdom to know the things we need to change and grace to live with the things we can’t change. Christ’s case was in the hands of Pilate. He knew that inasmuch as he was governor, he was unable to change the course of events because they had been ordained from above. He let the accusations about Him pass because it was ordained for Him to be crucified.