He Knows My Neutrality
Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:11-26
Meditation
Pontius Pilate is a good politician.
As prefect of the Judean province, he knows whom to please and how best to please them. In his tenure, he has learned that the best political decisions aren’t always the morally right ones but the ones most expedient. Pilate commits only when he needs to commit. He plays the center when the costs are too high on either side. He only fights the battles that he can win and sits out the rest. And, above all else, he makes certain that he saves face before Caesar.
When it comes to the interest of Tiberius Caesar, Pilate rules the turbulent province of Judea with a heavy hand. Tiberius has appointed Pilate to keep the peace and his Caesar’s expectation is that there be nothing less than law and order. The Pax Romana must not be disturbed. It would be best if the sleeping dogs of Rome were left to lie.
But the land of the Jews is filled with rebellious children. The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are a fiercely nationalistic people. They are headstrong toward any authority that tries to put them under rule and prone to public temper tantrums in order to get their way.
After years of Roman rule, the children of Israel have figured out that Pilate responds best to large crowds, noisy delegations, and the threat to riot.
Fueling their insurrectionist zeal is the promise of a Messiah-King. And these days it has been stoked by the belief that he is coming soon.
The Jews believe that when this Messiah-King comes, he will conquer and cast out the infidel. He will physically restore the kingdom of glory to Israel, set up the royal throne of his father David, and reign forever. The rod of Rome will be broken and the Shepherd of Israel will lead his sheep to quiet waters.
During his rule, Pilate has learned a thing or two about the sons of Israel. He knows that they’re really no threat to the iron fist of Rome but they are an irritant. Trying to put your hands around them is like grabbing hold of a splintered limb; grab too tight and you’ll get your share of slivers. When dealing with the tree of David, Pilate has decided that it’s best either to strike the limb with an ax or to keep your hands off. Knowing when to do which is Pilate’s constant dilemma.
To Pilate’s credit, he’s made some progress in the region. His men have just captured the infamous insurrectionist, Jesus Barabbas. Soon this nationalistic hero of Zion will hang from a cross as a warning and example to all who pass by: resist Rome and you’ll get nailed to a tree.
When it comes to slithering through the political process, the Jewish Council is as shrewd as a serpent. Its members know that Pilate cares nothing about the religious matters of the Jews. In order to procure the death sentence against Jesus, they’ll need more than the theological charge of blasphemy; they’ll need a political charge—treason.
As they bring Jesus to Pilate, they charge the Prince of Peace with disturbing the peace of Rome.
“We found this man undermining our law and order, forbidding taxes to be paid to Caesar, setting himself up as Messiah-King.”1
Pilate’s ears perk.
Treason is a serious accusation and so Pilate takes a hands-on approach. The governor is intent on hearing the case but he’s also leery of the religious leaders’ motive. He knows the Jews all too well. He wonders why a people so bent on nationalistic liberty and so vehement against Rome would voluntarily turn in an enemy of the state.
It doesn’t take Pilate long to figure out the game. The Jewish Ruling Council is trying to play him like a pawn. They want Jesus dead. And in order for that to happen, they need him to turn his thumb down on this lowly Jew and send him to the cross. Pilate sees the motive behind the charge—spite for Christ, not loyalty to Caesar.
But after Pilate questions Jesus, he sees no threat to Rome and no basis for crucifixion. Always playing the role of the politician, he offers the Jews an alternative judgment.
In keeping with an old Passover custom, Pilate offers to pardon a prisoner named by the crowd. He gives them two choices:
“Jesus Barabbas or Jesus the so-called Christ?”
The crowd, spurred on by the Jewish Ruling Council, shouts for Barabbas. Trying to reconcile the truth deposited in his conscience with the vehement consensus of the people, Pilate asks,
“Then what do I do with Jesus, the so-called Christ?”
They all shouted, “Nail him to a cross!”
He objected, “But for what crime?”
But they yelled all the louder, “Nail him to a cross!”2
Warned by his wife not to get mixed up in judging Jesus and seeing that the crowd might soon riot, Pilate makes the political choice—neutrality, hands off of Jesus. The costs are too high on either side. Best to walk the middle road.
Wanting to declare himself innocent of Jesus’ blood, Pilate asks for a bowl of water. As he stands before the crowd, he performs a Jewish purification ritual as prescribed by the Mosaic Law.
Finally, all the leaders of that town that is nearest the body will wash their hands over the heifer that had its neck broken at the stream and say, “We didn’t kill this man and we didn’t see who did it. Purify your people Israel whom you redeemed, O God. Clear your people Israel from any guilt in this murder.”3
As Jesus goes to the cross, the reign of the Messiah-King begins. From the nail pierced hands of the Prince of Peace there will be no posture of neutrality; all have sinned but the sacrifice of Christ is all-sufficient. Rome may remain for a time but the kingdom of grace will rule.
Reflection
Why is it impossible to stay neutral when it comes to Jesus the Christ?
What type of rioting mob is there in your world? In what ways have you been intimidated by the mob and washed your hands of Christ?
If you were to take a stand for Christ, what could you lose? What could you gain?
What comfort does it bring to you to know that Christ has no posture of neutrality towards you?
Prayer
Father,
I confess that, when the crowd has threatened me, I have taken a neutral stand concerning your Son. I have gone against my conscience and have chosen to walk the road of diplomacy. To ease my sense of accountability, I have washed my hands of any responsibility for the King of the Jews. I have handed him over to the mob to do with as they wish.
In washing my hands, I have soiled my soul.
During this day, give me the courage of your Holy Spirit so that I might stand up against the crowd and take a stand for Christ. Help me see through the false charges of the mob to the real motive—spite for the Son of God. When I fear that the blood of Christ is on my hands, drive me to the sacrifice of the cross. As I gaze at the King of the Jews, assure me that though his blood may be on my hands, it is a blood that will cleanse me and make me whiter than snow. Remind me that, with the Prince of Peace, there is no posture of neutrality; all have sinned but his sacrifice is all-sufficient.
It’s in Jesus’ name that I pray. Amen.
1Luke 23:2 2Matthew 27:22-23 3Deuteronomy 21:6-8
All Scripture references in the meditation are marked by italics and are taken from the Gospel reading for the day. Those verses quoted outside of the chosen reading for the day are noted. All Scripture quoted in this post is taken from THE MESSAGE: Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001 & 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.