Strange Bedfellows
Pilate and Herod became friends after Pilate sent Jesus to Herod.
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
I find it odd that Luke would make a point of saying how Pilate and Herod got along after meeting Jesus.
It seems so out of place, so unrelated to the event which is grave and serious.
It is almost as if the man before then is inconsequential, of no real import to either of them. Just another troublemaker?
Herod was curious. He wanted to see some sign that Jesus could perform for him, but that was all. It was just entertainment for him.
I guess we cannot really blame them, since they didn't believe and had no desire to understand the meaning of what was going on.
We have the same problem today, with so many not really paying attention, not believing or caring.
The world is becoming less faith-based. Many just go through the motions without participating. Like Pilate and Herod, this is a game for them.
Imagine how Jesus must have felt, standing before them, being judged, knowing they were going to put him to death for bringing the people the truth about God.
How could he not be totally disappointed in humanity?
Funny. Things haven't changed much, have they?
More to come...