“When the chief priests and the temple guards saw him, they shouted, ‘Crucify! Crucify!’ But Pilate answered, ‘You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.’” (John 19:6)

The Jews, who were under Roman rule at the time of Jesus, sought an all-conquering Messiah—one who would overthrow the Roman grip on Israel and establish an everlasting dynasty. That is what the Chief Priest prayed for; that is what the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Scribes, and the common folk prayed for. None of them expected a Messiah who would challenge the status quo through His love for the poor and for all people alike. The more Jesus healed, the more people came to Him; the greater His influence grew, the smaller the Chief Priests became.

In our verse for today, we see the stark contrast between the human expectation and God’s values. The chief priests and temple guards, who were supposed to be representatives of God’s people, were instead driven by hatred and a thirst for power. They shouted for Jesus’ crucifixion, despite Pilate’s repeated declarations of Jesus’ innocence. How many times have our thirst for power or influence driven us to accuse people wrongfully? Have we ever been jealous of a person because of how divergent their views are, or how much influence they wield in our stead?

This Holy Friday, let us allow this passage to challenge us to examine our own hearts and motivations. Are we, like the chief priests, driven by a desire for power, status, or control? Or are we, like Pilate, searching for truth and justice? Jesus stood before Pilate, innocent and pure, yet He was condemned to death. This reminds us of the darkness and sin that exists in our world, and the need for us to stand up for what is right and just.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to stand for truth, justice, and compassion, even in the face of opposition or adversity. May we be like Jesus, who endured suffering and injustice with love and forgiveness. May we also be like Pilate, who sought to do what was right, even if it meant going against the crowd. Let us strive to live lives that honor God and reflect His love to a world in need.