“As soon as it was morning, the
chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole
council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate” (Mark 15:1 NRSV).
What
if you knew tomorrow would be your final day on earth? How would you prepare?
Would you spend time eating a meal—or maybe two—with those you love?
Would you prepare
them for your death? What would you say?
During
Jesus’ final day on earth, beginning with the last meal He ate with His
disciples and ending with His death and burial, those 24 hours changed our
world.
Jesus
had been betrayed by Judas, deserted by the rest of His disciples, denied by
Peter—not once, but three times—and put on trial by the Sanhedrin. Jesus knew
what was ahead. But did that make it any easier?
When
the chief priests handed Jesus over to Pontius Pilate, he asked Him, “Are you
the King of the Jews?” How did Jesus answer? “You say so.”
And
when those chief priests continued to accuse Jesus of many things, Pilate asked
Him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.
Why did Jesus remain silent when questioned by Pilate?
Mark
tells us in his gospel that “Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was
amazed. (15:5).
In
Adam Hamilton’s book, “24 Hours That Changed the World: 40 Days of Reflection,”
he tells us more about Pilate. “Philo of Alexandria described Pilate as cruel,
corrupt and violent.”
Yet,
Pilate saw through the Jewish ruling council’s apparent interest in attempting
to uphold Rome’s authority. Hamilton says, “There they presented Him to the
governor, charging Him with the capital offense of claiming to be a king—a
crime tantamount to treason and insurrection.”
