Before Pilate and Herod
Today's focusJesus is falsely accused, questioned by Pilate and mocked by Herod, yet he remains silent and steady — the innocent one standing trial for us.
Read
1And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. 2And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. 3And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it. 4Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. 5And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. 6When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. 7And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. 8And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. 9Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. 10And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. 11And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. 12And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
Reflection
In this passage, you see Jesus standing before powerful men while "the whole multitude" brings heavy charges against him. He is called a "fellow perverting the nation," yet when Pilate examines him, the governor is forced to admit, "I find no fault in this man." Despite his innocence, Jesus is passed from one ruler to another like a common criminal. He faces those who are "more fierce" in their anger and those who "vehemently accused him," yet he does not fight back with words to save himself.
When he is sent to Herod, Jesus meets a king who is "exceeding glad" only because he hopes to see a "miracle done by him." When Jesus refuses to perform for his captors, he is "set at nought" and "mocked." Though he is "arrayed... in a gorgeous robe" in derision, he remains steady. His silence before Herod shows a quiet strength. Jesus endured this false judgment and public shame, standing as the innocent one in your place so that you might know his peace today.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
When you are misunderstood or falsely accused, what can you learn from Jesus' quiet trust in his Father?
Pray
Lord Jesus, you stood innocent before your accusers and did not defend yourself. Thank you for bearing injustice for my sake. Give me quiet trust when I am misunderstood.