“The Other” Is Jesus
The Palm Sunday and Good Friday proclamations of Jesus’ passion can feel overwhelming. There is so much for our souls and our liturgy to take in. The arrest of Jesus, his interrogation, scourging, crowning with thorns, condemnation, the carrying of the cross, and his crucifixion can overload our liturgy and our hearts. Let’s reflect on one piece of that proclamation, keeping the First Station of the Cross in mind (John 19:1–16).
Pilate has a problem. His back is against the wall. He wants to be loyal to his oath to Caesar and he is compelled to somehow satisfy the scribes, Pharisees, and their sympathizers. With no easy solution, he seeks a way out.
Pilate’s problem is Jesus. Pilate’s only way out? Get rid of him. Move him along, give him over to others, let them take him away. In Matthew 27:24, Pilate washes his hands of Jesus. That passage says the governor saw no guilt in Jesus, that he feared the crowd, and that he even tried to release him. If Jesus dies, Pilate’s problem goes away. Problem solved. Really?
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