Good Friday,
6 April 2012
Reflection
My dear friends,
The trial of Jesus seems quite clearly unjust and unfair. The Jewish elders are convinced that this man Jesus Christ is going to be serious trouble. Caiaphas, the High Priest, advises it would be better to get rid of him than to allow grief to come down on everyone else.
Pilate comes to the same conclusion eventually. He struggles with himself and bargains with the crowd, trying to set Jesus free but, as often happens, the crowd, prompted by Jewish leaders, are in control. Pilate is understandably afraid to make an honest decision. He yields to public pressure, washes his hands of the business and hands Jesus over to the crowd to do as they please.
The mission of Jesus to the human race has been accomplished. “I came into the world for this : to bear witness to the truth and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.” Right now, Pilate has other things on his mind, and has an angry crowd to contend with. Truth has to be sacrificed in favour of political necessity. The living truth in the person of Jesus Christ was about to be crucified.
After Jesus had taken the vinegar, he said, “It is accomplished!” And bowing his head he gave up the spirit.
+Liam S. MacDaid
