Cruelty and Abuse

Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.’ Then Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ He answered, ‘You say so.’ Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, ‘I find no basis for an accusation against this man.’ But they were insistent and said, ‘He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.’ When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies. Luke 23:1-12

Herod and Pilate were bitter enemies as they vied for power and control. Neither was native to the land they ruled and were treated with all princely honors. But they both wanted more. The need for wealth and power overpowers our human desire for compassion and concern. Two leaders became friends in their joint hate of Jesus, the one who disturbed them and made them examine their own behaviors. They did not want to lose control, and Jesus was a threat to that since he encouraged a place and welcome for all. Jesus wanted all people fed, comforted, healed and free. Now powermongers can't stand that. They need people to behave a certain way and always be loyal to them. We are reminded in these times, to remember who became close in their hate of Jesus' ways, Herod and Pilate. May we always follow Jesus' way of compassion, welcome, healing and freedom.

Lord Jesus, greed and corruption hates you

yet you did not defend the love God gave you

you did not strike them or cast them out

for you loved them despite their wicked ways.

We too can make friends who help us hate

we can define our lives by refusal to love

we can say and do things that seem righteous

and yet you know our hearts all too well.

Help us in this time of cruelty and abuse

to perpetuate love in our words and actions

may God's love break forth in the darkest places

and your light shine through the deepest pain. Amen.