Lent Midweek

They have the evidence they need. Jesus has claimed to be the Son of God. He is guilty of blasphemy and the punishment is death. Now they only need to persuade the Romans. So they drag Jesus before Pilate, the Roman administrator. He must give permission if Jesus is to die. Therefore, they will do whatever is necessary to secure this permission.

The leaders accuse Jesus of three things: first, misleading the Jewish people; second, forbidding them to pay taxes; and  third, claiming to be a King. The first accusation is up for debate. The leadership assumed they were leading the people in God’s way. Jesus, however, claims that He was sent from God to show people the way to God. He was the unique revelation of God and His Kingdom. The leadership rejects Jesus’ claims.  For Pilate’s sake, they are hinting that Jesus might create unrest for him. If Jesus is a religious zealot, then he could disturb the peace, making Pilate’s job more difficult. It would be easier for Pilate to just allow Jesus’ death. The second charge, that Jesus was forbidding them to pay taxes, was blatantly false. Jesus had taught the people “to render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.” Jesus desired that people submit and pay their taxes. But the leaders were not concerned with a fair portrayal of Jesus’ teachings. This lie would get Pilate’s attention. Pilate was a politician and politicians are fond of taxes. The taxes were essential for the police, the guards, and the general public order. This charge means that Jesus brings a financial risk to Rome and to Pilate as the financial administrator. The charge is clever, for it directly threatens Pilate. It would be easier for Pilate to give permission for Jesus’ death. The third charge is most important and it is true. Jesus did claim to be King, although not in the way suggested by the leadership. Jesus declared that He was the Anointed One, the Messiah. The Romans, of course, would not have appreciated the theological significance of this title. The leadership knew this. Their only desire was to suggest to the Romans that Jesus claimed political power and was some sort of revolutionary. In their accusations the leadership wants Pilate to think that Jesus’ activity is seditious, a threat to the peace and order. Killing Jesus would be the most expedient and efficient move.