Accused and Bound

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. Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then he answered them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Mark 15:1-11

Accused and Bound


Shackled like a raging criminal
 a child of peace, healing and love
shot from the balcony of a motel
murdered in the midst of a crowd.

Darkness grips rulers and leaders
when the powerless rise up
when love and community sing
the halls of the mighty tremble.

They would rather free a killer
then let love and redemption free
rather build walls and terror
than feed the hungry children.

Accused  bound and chained
yet freer than ever before
surrounded by hope and promise
we dance as we pray and sing.