Today we are reading from Mark 15: 1-5:

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. 2 Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” 3 Then the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

Pilate is a big deal.  He’s the real power in Jerusalem.  The religious leaders, they have some power.  Herrod, he has some power.  Lots of people, they have some power. But Pilate, he is THE power.  He represents Ceaser.  He speaks for Rome.  His will is law.  He does what he wants, he gets what he wants. 

You don’t mess with Pilate, you don’t annoy Pilate, you keep Pilate happy.  

If he’s happy, everyone else is happy.  

So, that is what makes what happens today so surprising.  Pilate asks Jesus a question.  And Jesus doesn’t really care.  Was He the King of the Jews?  If you say so.  And then that was it.  Nothing more.  No more to say.  Pilate was amazed.  He could not believe it. 

Why?  He wasn’t in charge.  He wasn’t the power.  Ordinarily, Pilate is in charge, and people answer to him. But in this, that is not happening.  Why?  Because now Pilate sees real power.  Jesus is afraid of no man and only submits to the will of His father. 

Why?  Because He knows real power.  Real power is not of this earth or any earthly leader.  They may have some power, but even that power is temporary.  It is not eternal. It is not true power.  Only God has true power.  Pilate was not used to seeing someone who was not afraid of him.  He was used to being in charge.  

But he was not in charge of Jesus.  For He knew real power.  

And so do we.  Our Father in heaven is real power.  So, let’s live lives not of fear or of anger, but of peace and joy, for we know real power.  Real power is found in our heavenly Father. And, through Jesus, we too know that power.  

Let us be thankful! 

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