Lent-What shall I do with Jesus?

Jesus was arrested and sent by the chief priests and elders to Pilate the Governor, who questioned him and found no guilt.

“Christ Before Pilate” by Tintoretto, (1566-67)

It was the custom for Pilate to release to the crowd any one prisoner they wanted. He placed before them Barabbas, a notorious prisoner, and Jesus. Then he asked them whom they wanted released. The crowd chose Barabbas. So Pilate then asked, “What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:20)

“Christ Presented to the People” by Quentin Massys (ca. 1515)

The crowd cried, “Let him be crucified!”. Pilate asked, “Why, what evil has he done?”. They shouted all the more, “LET HIM BE CRUCIFIED!”. Pilate feared a riot might begin, so he washed his hands before the crowd saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood.”

Then he scourged Jesus and delivered him to be crucified.

If we were to put ourselves into this scene, where might we be? …in the crowd, caught up in the roar of the masses? How often are we influenced by the strong majority and swept up in an incredulous movement, even in something we may not know that much about. Or there is fear of bucking the system.

Or perhaps we know what is right and could make a difference, but our voice remains silent. We choose to wash our hands of any involvement and move on with our lives. Or we hide out somewhere with the disciples, fearing we might get hurt in this whole ordeal.

Or maybe we never even went to Jerusalem at all that day. Were we too busy?…didn’t want to get too close, uncomfortable?…oblivious? The question from the hymn echoes in our mind and heart…”Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” This writing is from “The Journey to Jerusalem” by Macrina Wiederkehr…