Not My Problem
Luke 23:1-12
Notice how Pilate tries to avoid dealing with Jesus.
Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king." Then Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He answered, "You say so." Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no basis for an accusation against this man." But they were insistent and said, "He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place." When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies. -- Luke 23:1-12
He's not my problem. He's Herod's problem.
But that didn't work. Herod sent him back to Pilate.
Now what?
All Pilate cares about is keeping his job. He can't do anything to get Rome's attention unless it is something good. So, he's faced with a dilemma. Does he appease his leaders and upset some of his people, or does he appease the people and upset his leaders?
The Jewish people were taught to obey their leaders and be subject to their laws, so there really isn't a choice here. Jesus is doomed.
Back in Jesus' day, the will of the people was not something any leader cared about. Sure, they worried if the people came together and rose up against them, which is what the leaders of the faith tried to present to Pilate.
He's inciting the people to rise up against you.
Self-preservation drove his decision from there. It's all about power, not about justice.
We like to think we have learned something since then, that we are better people, but we are really the same. The primary difference is that our right to speak up and protest is guaranteed in this country, unlike in many countries worldwide.
We can thank the rag-tag group of dissenters who stood up against tyranny and injustice 249 years ago for that. Sure, we have our differences, and many believe we have lost our rights, but take a closer look.
As fallible as it is, this is still the greatest country when it comes to giving power to the people to govern themselves.
I'll step down from my political soapbox now.
More to come...