A-Poem-a-Day
Until Resurrection Sunday
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| Pontius Pilate Stone |
PILATE’S
IRONY
During my
first pilgrimage to Israel
archeologist
and guide, Micha Ashkenazi
took us to
Caesarea to view a replica
of a piece of
limestone
partially
inscribed with the name Pontius Pilatus
Micha had
been a member of the team
that
unearthed the stone there
during a dig
in 1961
It is the
only evidence
of the
historical existence
of the Roman
governor
outside the
New Testament
and writings
of Josephus Flavius
Interesting, Pilate,
who may have given
a modicum of
credence to his wife’s warning
to have nothing
to do with Jesus
did make an
abysmal effort
to prevent
the crucifixion
by setting Barabbas
before the riled
multitude
When the
crowd shouted to free Barabbas
and called
for death to Jesus
their chants
of
Crucify Him! Crucify Him!
drummed in
his ears
Pilate asked
for a basin of water
He washed his
hands in front of them—
as if water
could possibly cleanse him
of
responsibility for what would happen next
The irony is
that even now
thousands of years hence
contempt for
this man is as clear
as his name etched
in stone—
for wherever
believers gather
and proclaim
their creed
Jesus…
suffered under Pontius Pilate
was crucified, dead and buried…
Pilate’s
guilt is an indelible stain
that can
never be
washed from
our minds
Maude Carolan Pych
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