"Pilate's Irony"

 A-Poem-a-Day Until Resurrection Day

Pontius Pilate inscription

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

"Behold the Lamb...poetically!"

by Maude Carolan Pych

is available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD, etc.

www.maudecarolanpych.net