I am innocent of the blood of this just person

Man of Sorrows - Byzantine Museum; Athens, Greece

When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just person. You see to it." And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children." Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And they bowed the knee before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they took the robe off him, put his own clothes on him, and led him away to be crucified.

- Matthew 27:24-31

In Saturday's reading, we read of Pilate's understanding that Jesus is innocent. Pilate has offered to the crowds the release of one prisoner, as it is the time of the feast. Pilate offered to the crowds to choose: should he release Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ? The crowds, stirred by the temple leadership, chose Barabbas. (See Whom do you want me to release to you?) In today's reading, Pilate makes his own choice.

When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just person. You see to it." Pilate decides that he has given this decision to the crowds. In washing his hands, he claims that he has nothing to do with this decision. But, of course, everyone makes their own choices - and Pilate knows that Jesus is innocent. He has the power to make his own choice, but he is hemmed in by the demands of the temple leadership (with and through whom he barely keeps the peace), and the crowds that have been stirred by the leadership, he takes the coward's way out. Pilate - just like Judas - cannot undo his part in this choice. He cannot wash his hands of his own position of responsibility. In Luke's gospel, we are told that after the murder of Christ, Pilate and Herod would become fast friends, a bond sealed by mutual guilt over the murders of Jesus and John the Baptist. Many of us often feel pressured, in impossible situations, and have hard choices to make. Perhaps this is Pilate's position. But, we still have to make those choices, and it's still up to us to decide what is just and right; we're still responsible. Can we make the choices we need to in life, and face the consequences? Pilate has the power to choose the outcome here, and he fails to use it. He fails to be a true leader.

And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children." Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. My study bible notes on verse 25: "This verse is never to be used as a justification for persecuting Jews. The Jews were elected to represent all, and his blood is on us all. In the Old Testament, the shedding of innocent blood is avenged by God. In the history of Israel, this curse was foreshadowed by the cursing of the fig tree (21:18,19; Mark 11:12-14) and fulfilled by the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 (24:2)." I think my study bible has a very important point here; it's not simply about blaming some people or another people. The crucifixion of Christ is a problem of evil in the world; and Jesus has also said that his crucifixion will serve as a judgment on "the prince of this world" - that the "ruler of the world" has no power over him (John 14:30). Of course, the spiritual battleground, as my study bible indicates, is within us.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And they bowed the knee before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they took the robe off him, put his own clothes on him, and led him away to be crucified. The Praetorium is the governor's (Pilate's) residence. My study bible notes on this passage: "Every king is proclaimed by his soldiers. Thus it is fitting that Jesus should be crowned by the soldiers, although they are unaware of what they are doing. His crown (v. 29) of mockery shows him 'despised and rejected by men' (Is. 53:3) and thus the One who bears 'the iniquity of us all' (Is. 53:6). Jesus is clothed in scarlet (Mark 15:17 and John 19:2 have 'purple'), representing both his royalty and the sins of humanity which he has taken upon himself (see Is. 1:18). That the Son of God would so humble himself to release us from our sin and death should melt even a heart of stone."

What do we make of the scenes we witness in today's reading? Who is innocent and who is guilty? We are all responsible for our choices. Let us examine, then, the choices made in today's reading. Pilate claims he is not responsible, and washes his hands. But he is responsible for his choice, and he has taken the coward's way out - although he knows that Jesus is innocent. The people in the crowds who proclaim that Jesus' blood should be on their hands and on their children's are also wrong. They cannot declare judgment; neither for themselves nor for their children. And this central act of history is a question of judgment for all of us, as my study bible points out. It is a gift, an act that clearly shows what the "ruler of this world" is all about, and who Christ is. And it asks all of us to make a choice, every day, and every moment - to think about this choice. And the guards? The soldiers who mock him? Jesus will say as he is crucified, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." We will also be told that the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, will come to confess - even at this crucifixion - that "Truly this was the Son of God!" So, who is innocent and who is guilty? The judgment comes from above (as does vengeance), as my study bible indicates. But, once again (as in Saturday's reading), we are asked to peer into these mysteries and pictures and choose: what is false and what is true? How do we choose? Discern? And, more importantly and to the point in today's reading: how do we act? Do we know when we have to choose? Do we stand up to pressure to do what we know in our hearts? Where does our faith lead us? The prince of the world will test us all, but we have help. Jesus has walked through it, faced it, lived it, and is carried to the cross for us - so that we have help. We have his Way. We open the door to relationship with him, so that he leads us. What choice do you face that you need to make with his help? Can you face what you need to do, with the strength he offers?

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Rev. 3:20