Stir Up the People

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 

Stir Up The People

Power hungry and never secure
they seek to destroy those in chains
the poor, the homeless, the sickest
in order to secure their power.

They silence the peoples' voices
lead leaders away to slaughter
make friends with the creulest
sign contracts with the deadly.

Foolish we humans who believe
that power originates from wealth
from family or land or privelege
rather than from the heart of God.

We can make rules and imprison
so that love which is always love
cannot be demonstrated on our streets
yet love will always rule every day.

God is not mocked or scourged
all of creation groans for the Creator
beauty and strength are gifts given
and the power hungry will always starve.