UNITED AGAINST JESUS

UNITED AGAINST JESUS!

In the following passion drama we see the curious reunion of two rival rulers. Pilate represented the occupying force of Rome and Herod was Rome’s puppet king. Let’s take a look.

Luke 23:1-12

23:1 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.

2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

3 And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.

4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.

7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.

8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.

11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

As a police chaplain I learned that the most dangerous call to which an officer might respond was a family disturbance. Why? Husbands, wives and other assorted kinfolk and friends might be bludgeoning each other with whatever is handy but will stop to fight the responding officer before returning to their own conflict. We always called for backup and never relied on a one man unit.

Our narrative suggests that Pilate found no cause worthy of death in Jesus and sought to have him released. Herod was a true despot and saw Jesus only as a curiosity. He wanted to see some miracle performed by him. That is not to say that Pilate was good and Herod was bad but that Pilate was bad and Herod was worse.

Scholars are uncertain of the cause of the rift between Pilate an Herod but generally conclude that it began when Pilate overstepped his authority and killed some Galileans in Jerusalem as they were offering sacrifices in the Temple (Luke 13:1,2). Herod was furious not because his subjects had died but because he was not consulted on the matter.

Those who wore evil like a garment united in opposition to Jesus. Herod dismissed him with a lunatic cackle and Pilate simply washed his hands of him but both agreed that Jesus would die. Now, however, they are dead and Jesus still lives!

Tiny Israel has a land mass smaller than New Jersey. It is the apple of God’s eye and yet it is and will continue to be the focus of world conflict. History confirms that those who fight against Israel fight against God.

• Beware making a pact with evil.
• Your arms are too short to box with God!
• He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep (Psalm 121:4).
  
  
  Dear Lord, protect your heritage and your people today. Cover your people with your wings. AMEN