Confirming (phase 3), - Interrogated, denied, mocked, tortured and condemned . . . (step 25) - sessions 5 and 6

Back before Pilate and the episode with Barrabas; condemned by the people

Jn 18:28-40

Having omitted the council's trial and any mention of Herod, St. John gets down to the details of Jesus' condemnation. The council replies to Pilate's inquiry of charges with, basically, "He's a bad dude. You won't let us kill him, so you do it." But they must have said something about Jesus claiming to be a king, because of Pilate's next interrogation of Jesus.

Still, even when Jesus concedes his kingship, Pilate does not see it as any threat to peace in his region of responsibility. The greater threat is from the potential uprising that seems to be developing over his refusal to execute Jesus.

This ties right back in with thoughts over the last couple of weeks regarding how fear drives us to take actions that we would otherwise reject as clearly unjust. He mentions (another) possible way out, knowing that Jesus must have some popularity among the people or the council wouldn't be worried about him. But those supporters appear to be absent. From fear? By manipulation? Both?

At any rate, the crowd that is present asks for Barrabas, not "this one." Every time I read (or chant) this Passion, I want the crowd to spare him, even though it is only through his wrongful death that I have been delivered. It still seems to wrong. It violates me. More below.

Scourging, mockery and condemnation to crucifixion

Jn 19:1-16

Pilate hopes that his torturing and mocking of Jesus will appease the rabble clamoring for his death. By comparison I suppose it might seem an attempt at kindness. Again we see evil done because of fear. In the end it does nothing but cement their determination to have him killed.

Fr. Neuhaus points out how rather than condemn us as we deserve, God himself submits to our condemnation of him. (Really, if you haven't read Death on a Friday Afternoon, stop shortchanging yourself with my brief references to it!)

Pilate should not be misunderstood to be compassionate toward Jesus. He is being pragmatic, avoiding by the most expedient path the uprising that will surely cost him his governorship. Usually an unjust execution would be more likely to cause such a commotion than preventing it would, but it becomes apparent to him that this is not the case, and for this reason alone he acquiesces to the crowd.

I thank God for the great love he shows by his incredible sacrifice. He is never taken by surprise at anything we do, as he has seen us do it.