Day 38: Maundy Thursday

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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.
Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’
  Jesus answered him, ‘You say so.’
Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, ‘Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.’ But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. ~Mark 15:1-4


“King of the Jews”

“Are you (King of the Jews)?” asked Pilate
—perhaps curious. 
—or afraid of civil unrest. 
     (the Jews, you see, could have no king. Not while Caesar was lord)
And the man—the quiet Jesus man—delivered, blamed and tied
said, “You say so.”—not yes, not no—but something was implied (?)

“Are you (King of the Jews)?” asked Pilate to the man the priests had bound.
—suspecting innocence
—or looking for evidence
      (for who would cuff a rightful king? And the witness was not of accord)
But the man—the silent Jesus man—(perhaps he might have sighed)
Said nothing, nothing!...nonetheless, he never quite denied.

“Are you releasing him (the King of Jews)?” asked Pilate to the crowd.
—offering justice
—or seeking a way out

      (for Passover celebrates mercy and life—redemption is not of the sword)
But the crowd—the writhing, stirred-up crowd—they raised their heads and cried
 Condemn the man—the Jesus man—let him be crucified! 
 
Blood! Blood! Blood of the covenant!

Freedom shall be for Barabbas.

And a prisoner went free
‘cause The King chose a tree
and a kingdom broke open worldwide.




Prayer:

Jesus, teach us to live by your example...because there might be times when we should be silent rather than jumping to our own defense. Or maybe we should be speaking out for those who cannot speak for themselves. Or maybe we should just be careful not to be too quickly to accuse or judge others. Jesus, teach us to live by your example. Amen.

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