He was the probably the most powerful person in the least powerful district in the whole of the Roman Empire. He was looking to edify his position; at least he wanted to feel important, like he was in charge of everything in a literal god-forsaken timelin and a place.
He knew of the season ; lots of hubbub lots of commerce, lots of people, and with all this, lots of nuisance and potential uprising. “Just the usual…” he probably thought; that this is just gonna be another “one of those days”.
A brigand, a troublemaker to deal with. And here he was being charged for crossing some religious rule, breaking the Mosaic law, calling himself the Son of God. This is hardly Roman news , let alone a career defining opportunity for a Roman governor – it would have been easier if his own people could deal with him.
Yet a potential uprising, he had to contend with, especially during this major festival period. He wouldn’t want a bad rep for himself now would he? Especially on what would seem a “trivial matter” in the eyes of the world.
And so, into his presence, His presence was brought forth. An ordinary harmless man from a first glance. Pilate knew the charges, but he also knew, this was no threat to the Roman establishment. This man was certainly no king.
Yet, he had to question Him. Due diligence, if you may.
“Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Do you ask of your own? Or did someone tell you about me?” Was all the response he got. Pilate probably didn’t expect that response – a simple yes or no would do for the Governor.
Defiant, perplexed, he didn’t know how to have his comeback. He must have thought – I am not even a Jew, I don’t even need to answer this!
“Your own people sent you to me!” he responded, avoiding to directly answer Him.
And so that’s how the conversation between the Governor of the World and the King of the Universe took place. He tried to explain to him about Truth. He could only think about truth.
Truly, Pilate had want nothing to do with him. Even his own spouse told him so ; Pilate knew it was out of jealousy that they wanted to crucify this man, yet it would be on his own blood. Even if he had tried to wash his hands publicly off this trial, it would be his stigma for life.
Christ knew also Pilate was not to be blamed. Christ was responding to a higher power, His Father. That’s why Our Lord could simply brush of Pilate’s earthly claim of power – True Power, Christ knew, was up above. True power, Christ knew, rested in doing the will of His Power. That’s where the true Power laid – in the Hands of His Father.
For the first time, that verse “You have no Power over Me” struck me deeply. Many times I have given in into the Powers of the World and of People’s Word. I have felt compelled to also “align” myself with those in Power to gain the upper hand and win favour that would boost my own earthly gain, without realising, God the Father is the one who is above all things.
And that’s my take home message this Holy Week and Easter. My Father and My Lord have the real Power, not these earthly princes of this world. As a Son of God, a son of my Abba, I can boldly believe this and cling to this Hope that My Father has total dominion over everything. And true Power is not in the hands of doing the will of my earthly bosses, but with doing the will of my Heavenly Boss.
