The Wonderous CrossSýnishorn

The Cowardly Governor

Claudia sat straight up in bed and brushed her sweat-drenched hair away from her face. She sighed, relieved it was just a dream. She wrapped her robe around her shoulders and walked to the window, where she paused to look out on the Praetorium. That’s odd. Why were there so many people there at this early hour?

Suddenly, she remembered her dream. Her husband Pilate was presiding over cases in the Praetorium like he always did, but this time Jesus of Nazareth stood before him. Everything about the dream unnerved her. If Pilate condemned an innocent man like him, that might provoke the anger of the gods, and end his career. Where was Pilate anyway? She had better get word to him to have nothing to do with that just man!

When Claudia was waking up from her dream, Pilate was already living out his worst nightmare. In the case of the Jewish leaders vs. Jesus of Nazareth, Pilate was in a no-win situation. If he released Jesus, the religious leaders would appeal to Caesar. But if he condemned Jesus, without solid evidence, the people might revolt, and Roman justice would be viewed as a joke.

But the more Pilate questioned and observed Jesus, the more convinced he became of his innocence. Every effort he made to get rid of him only boomeranged back. He tried to give the Jews permission to kill Jesus, but they refused. He tried sending him to Herod, but Herod sent him back. He tried to release Jesus, but the crowd demanded Barabbas be released instead. Finally, he tried to wash his hands of the whole thing, as if that absolved him from any guilt.

Pilate, who knew the truth about who Jesus was, threw his hands up in defeat and cynically replied, “What is truth?” He then handed Jesus over to be crucified.

We don’t know what Pilate’s wife Claudia dreamed the night before the crucifixion. But to both of their credit, Pilate tried to heed her warning to “have nothing to do with that righteous man.” Unfortunately, for Pilate, and every other human who’s ever lived, it’s not that easy to wash your hands of Jesus.

Pilate asked the crowd when he offered them the choice of Jesus or Barabbas. “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” That’s a question we all must answer. The crowds called for his crucifixion, and Pilate, knowing the truth, put him to death.

What are you doing with Jesus? Will you respond to the truth of his Lordship, or will you try to wash your hands of him?