A-Poem-a-Day
Until Resurrection Day
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| Photo credit: luisdornelesdeoliveira.blogspot.com |
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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