Daily Devotion for Saturday 28th March 2026

Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus said, ‘You say so.’ But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. Then Pilate said to him, ‘Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?’ But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Reflection

Sometimes I think the editors of the Gospels were rather understated in their language.  A prisoner in danger of death not deigning to engage with Pilate is startling.  I find it hard to read Jesus’ response “You say so” as anything other than rudeness.  No attempt is made to explain what his Kingship might be, no attempt to explain power as service nor authority as responsibility.  No effort is expended to engage in any way that might have thrown some light on the leadership’s anxiety about Jesus is made in Matthew’s account.  (John has a little more).  
 

• Is Jesus refusing to recognise Pilate’s authority?  
• Is he rejecting Pilate’s right to judge? (Pilate is the embodiment of the occupying power after all.) 
• Is Jesus resigned to his fate?  
• Is he conserving his energy for all that will come?  

Perhaps Jesus is refusing to dignify the proceedings by taking part in them as he knows the outcome is a foregone conclusion.  Sometimes we have to step back from the destructive games that others play; to be the mature one in midst of destructive behaviour, to be the place of calm in the midst of anxiety, to keep our dignity when others want to run around in a panic, to conserve our energy for what really matters. 

Of course, when we do this we, like Jesus, refuse to let the other – or the situation – have power over us.  Pilate, of course, had power but Jesus remained dignified, poised, and in control even as he felt the rage of the crowd, the pain of the torture, the torment of the mocking and the agony of the Cross.  Would that we could have the same dignity, calm and control in our crises!

Prayer  

Why, what hath my Lord done?
What makes this rage and spite?
He made the lame to run;
He gave the blind their sight.
Sweet injuries! Yet they at these
themselves displease,
and ‘gainst Him rise.

Samuel Crossman, 1664