ELUSIYAN
TOLU’ FRANCIS
Why
does Pilate appear so fair-minded regarding Jesus and so determined to let him
go free? Pilate not only is uncooperative with the Jewish leaders who at first
expect him to essentially rubber stamp their verdict, but also declares Christ
to be innocent of any wrong on three separate occasions.
The
answer to this fundamental question is of various folds. First, Pilate may have
been impressed by the demeanour of the saviour in his presence. The lord’s
dignity, courage, confidence and calmness before Pilate were exceptional.
Secondly, Pilate was not ignorant of the corruptions of the Sanhedrin. As a
governor in a problematic part of the empire he had spies and informers and may
have known that the case against the saviour was unjust. Further and as a
follow up, his questioning of the messiah revealed to him that the Nazarene was
not a threat to the Roman Empire. Thirdly, an important factor in the midst of
the trial was his wife’s warning found only in Matthew 27:19, ‘Have nothing to
do with that just man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because
of him’.
To
a pagan roman who was no doubt very superstitious, such a warning would have
been frightening. For these reasons Pilate did virtually everything he could to
avoid being the one responsible for the execution of Christ; from his repeated
declaration of innocence, to his passing of the buck to Herod, and also to his
desperate move to have a prisoner released to the Jews. He even chose Barabbas
to place next to Jesus who was a wicked criminal, thinking the Jews would let Jesus
go.
But
trgedically for Pilate he gave in to the majority of Jews who wanted their messiah
crucified. He handed the saviour over to crucifixion not knowing that his name
would forever be tied to this despicable, cowardly deed. Pilate ultimately was
not interested in truth or justice but rather with pleasing his constituents
and Caesar his taskmaster.
This
incident is a strong indictment against raw democracy where the voice of the
majority takes precedence over the rule of law. Indeed, Pilate reminds one of
modern American politicians who have no Christian religious principles or
ethical absolutes whatsoever. For them, the voice of the people is the voice of
God. When civil magistrates follow the mob instead of God’s law; then the state
progressively becomes a terror to righteous people.
Democracy
has always resulted in anarchy followed by totalitarianism; for, given the
choice between anarchy and a strong man, people choose the dictator. In a
Christian constitutional democracy the law of God is king. There is a genuine
rule of law where only Christian, Property owners, who are the covenant heads
of families can vote, serve on juries, hold political office or serve as
judges. Under such rule people have great liberty from men like Pilate for the
laws of scripture protect them from arbitrary, pragmatic rule where the best of
intentions usually result in savage oppression.
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