That Just Man

The Story

Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. The chief priests accused Him of many things, but Jesus said nothing. Pilate was amazed.

Pilate knew the religious leaders had handed Jesus over out of envy. He wanted to find a way to release Him.

While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, a message arrived from his wife. “Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.”

God had spoken to her in a dream. And she warned her husband.

Pilate tried. He offered the crowd a choice: he would release either Jesus or a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. Surely they would choose Jesus.

But the crowd, stirred up by the chief priests, shouted for Barabbas. “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They shouted, “Let him be crucified.”

Pilate saw that he couldn’t win and that a riot was starting. He took water, washed his hands before the crowd, and said, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person.”

Then he released Barabbas and handed Jesus over to be crucified.

Reflection