...Jesus before Herod and Pilate...

“2 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.’ 3 Then Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ He answered, ‘You say so.’ 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, ‘I find no basis for an accusation against this man.’ 5 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.’

Jesus before Herod

6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 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. 8 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. 9 He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 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. 12 That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

Jesus Sentenced to Death

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14 and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 I will therefore have him flogged and release him.’

18 Then they all shouted out together, ‘Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!’ 19 (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; 21 but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’ 22 A third time he said to them, ‘Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.’ 23 But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished” Luke 23.2–25.

Today we meet Herod who was “the king of the Jews” and the king who was  out for Jesus’ blood. Herod was not at all a very impressive king, but he didn’t have to be because he inherited that title from his father, “Herod the Great” who was famous for lots of building projects and for killing little babies in case one of them might be the Messiah. Now his son, Herod Antipas, has been hearing rumors about Jesus for quite some time, including news that he is a prophet who can do miracles. So here’s his chance! 

But when Jesus won’t co-operate with Herod, Herod does what you’d do to a mad man who claims to be a “messiah. Dress him up as a king, have a good laugh, then send him off to the fate he obviously deserves. Luke points out that on that day Herod and Pilate became friends. The “king of the Jews” has become the friend of the Roman empire. This is a good move politically but a bad move theologically. God’s kingdom is about to be established, and it will stand over against Caesar and all his allies.

Pilate, meanwhile, is out of his league and completely confused. He doesn’t understand the finer points of Jewish expectations and hopes. All he knows is that this man is accused of being a troublemaker, but gives no sign that he is anything but sad and deluded. As we watch Jesus being brought in to the Roman governor, lonely and unprotected, after a sleepless night and rough treatment at the hands of his guards, we are bound to understand Pilate’s question as deeply sarcastic.

“So! ‘King of the Jews’, are we?”

Herod’s thinking: “Anything less kingly it would be hard to imagine.”

“You’ve said it,” replies Jesus. “Yes,” (in other words) “I know you don’t believe it for a moment, and I can’t blame you really, because the only sort of kings you know don’t look like this and don’t behave like me. But it’s true none the less.”

Pilate is convinced Jesus is a harmless lunatic. But the crowds think otherwise. “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place” (Verse 5).

Finally Pilate caves in. But Luke, inviting us to share in the story, wants us to know that through all these misunderstandings and blunderings God’s purpose was going forward.

This was, in fact, how God’s kingdom was to come.

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes forget how difficult life can be for those who hold great power and authority. Sometimes they are forced to decide between what’s “right” and what will be “popular or “rich”. I try to picture in my mind the leaders of our nation and elsewhere, who have that kind of responsibility. I try to look on them as Jesus looks on them; and pray for them in all that they do. Take time today and pray for our world leaders and pray for peace and an end to all the wars!

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy win me a sinner.