It's All About You, Jesus (Luke 22:66-23:25)

Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king." So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "You have said so," Jesus replied. Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this man." But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here." On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. (Luke 23:1-7 NIV)

Remember, the Jewish Sanhedrin (council) does not have the power to put anyone to death.  The Roman Empire is organized something like this. First, the Empire is ruled by the Emperor - at this time it was Tiberius.  He was actually one of the most humble emperors in this millennium.  Pilate and Herod were rulers of neighboring territories, appointed by the emperor.  They were responsible to Rome for their actions, but were the official Roman rulers of their territories.  The High Priest, then, was the government appointed leader of the Jews, drawing from the Jewish Nation to keep them "in line." So, they took Jesus to Pilate.

"King of the Jews," then, was not a direct smack at Pilate, then.  Jewish leadership was the responsibility of the Rome-appointed High Priest.  It was an attack on him more than the leaders of specific territories.  They tried to use the "king" title to stir up trouble, though, with hopes Pilate would feel threatened.  All Pilate did was look for a back door.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became friends--before this they had been enemies. (Luke 23:8-12 NIV)

Jesus was sent to Herod because he did most of his ministry in Herod's territory.  He was only arrested in Pilate's.  Herod received him because he wanted to see some of Jesus' magic tricks.  When Jesus wouldn't perform, Herod sent him back.

Do you look for God to do "magic tricks" in your life?  Do you expect Him to perform some kind of miracle as a sign, or simply because you want that miracle in your life?  When God doesn't "perform" as you want, do you send Him back?  Is your faith in God based on God doing what you want?  Perhaps, then, you identify with Herod.

Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him."  (Luke 23:13-16 NIV)

Does politics affect your faith?  Are you strong in your faith when it is favorable in our national government, state government, or local homeowner's association?  Does your faith wane when opinion about God, His Church, or Christians starts to turn for the worse?  Do you look for compromises that will please all the people involved, rather than turning to God to find out what would please Him?  Perhaps, then, Pilate makes sense to you.

But the whole crowd shouted, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!" (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him." But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. (Luke 23:18-25 NIV)

Are you angry at God?  Are you frustrated at His Church or Christians who claim to be followers but do very ungodly things?  Do you want God removed from places where you would have to deal with Him because you don't believe in Him or simply don't like how He gets things done?  Well, then, perhaps you relate to the crowds.

How about you?  Who would you be most like if you were there?