If you throw enough mud, some is certain to stick. That is a popular strategy for defeating an opponent. It happens on playgrounds and political campaigns around the world every day. You call names, make up stories, bring up past mistakes all in the name of gaining the upper hand. We put the other person down in order to lift ourselves up. They become a stepping stone for our upward rise.
The one problem with this strategy is that we are now standing on our opponents. Not the most solid of foundations!
The most powerful government official of that area of the world was holding court that day. Pilate had been governor for at least four years by the time of Jesus’ trial. He would have been familiar with the customs of the Jews, since he would have had to understood their beliefs in order to maintain peace. I am sure this is not the first trial that involved particular aspect of Jewish theology. There had been a long line of rebellions against Roman rule starting in this part of the Roman Empire. This history would have been part of Pilate’s initial briefing when he took office.
The Jews come to present evidence against Jesus. They want Him convicted of something that would merit death. They have developed a long list of things Jesus has supposedly done. They throw the whole list at Him. This sounds like what many prosecutors do today. They charge you with as many things as possible, hoping to be able to prove one of them. The more things thrown at Jesus, the worse He sounds.
But Pilate isn’t buying what they are selling. He asks Jesus directly if He is “King of the Jews,” a title that would have certainly put Him at odds with Caesar, the Emperor of Rome. Only one king could exist in the Roman Empire, and that seat was filled.
So if Jesus had answered and said, “You’re absolutely right about that. And my reign isn’t just over Rome, but over the whole universe. Caesar is nothing to me.” Jesus would have been in big trouble. That would have been a direct threat to Rome itself. But Jesus didn’t have an army, or any real followers at this point. They had all run for cover. They were cowering in the shadows. Rome had nothing to fear from Jesus’ military force. He had none.
And Jesus doesn’t defend Himself against these obvious false charges. This is what amazes Pilate. Even he can see mud when it is thrown. He can hear the flimsy nature of the charges. He might even want to be the defense attorney, just to see the prosecution squirm on cross examination. But Jesus keeps silent.
I can bet that many have been accused before Pilate and have given strong defensive arguments against the charges leveled at them. Pilate must have been used to the back and forth of charge and rebuttal. This was a normal part of what happened. Charges were brought and then answers were given.
But Jesus makes no defense. He says nothing to reject the false charges. He says nothing to address the silliness of the charges.
What do you do when someone charges you falsely? How do you handle heightened emotional energy leveled your direction? Do you react with equal emotion and vigor? Do you counter sue with charges of your own? Do you bring up their past and throw it in their face?
The Arnold Journey 