After enduring multiple unjust interrogations and brutal torture on Good Friday, Jesus is returned to Pilate for the fourth and final phase of His trial. Pilate and Herod have found Jesus innocent of the Jews’ false charges that Jesus is leading a rebellion against Rome.
Pilate brings the battered Jesus, dressed with a kingly purple robe and crowned with thorns, before the Jewish mob, hoping Jesus’ brutal wounds and His mocking humiliation will quench the Jews’ bloodlust. Pilate again (Jn 18:37-38, Lk 23:13-14) proclaims Jesus’ innocence but the Jewish leadership, shout, “Crucify! Crucify!”, and Pilate confirms again Jesus is innocent and mocks the Jews, telling them to illegally crucify Jesus themselves (Jn 18:31). After lying about Jesus being a political rebel to manipulate Pilate, the Jews finally reveal their true motive for wanting Jesus murdered is because He “made Himself to be the Son of God.”
Now even more afraid because the claim Jesus is the “Son of God” opposes Caesar, who himself falsely claims to be the “son of God”, but also because Pilate may wonder if the mysterious Jesus has supernatural origins. Pilate takes Jesus back in the palace and asks where Jesus is from, but when Jesus refuses to respond, Pilate bluntly claims to have the power to free or crucify Him. Jesus reassures the fearful Pilate by cryptically revealing Pilate has no personal power but has been given supernatural power over Jesus and by confirming the Jews who delivered Him are guilty of a greater sin. Hearing the roaring Jewish mob outside, Pilate takes Jesus out and again tries to free Him. The Jews coerce Pilate, saying if he releases Jesus he is committing treason against Caesar. When Pilate claims innocence and publicly washes his hands in a futile attempt to avoid personal guilt, the Jewish mob accepts their guilt, saying, “Let His [Jesus’] blood be on us and our children!” and shout out again, “Crucify Him!” When the Jews pledge loyalty to Caesar, Pilate sits on his official judgment seat and reluctantly condemns Jesus to death by Crucifixion.
Be awed by Jesus Christ
Marvel at the reality of Divine Providence: Son of God, Jesus has come in part to correct the false idea that Caesar is the “son of god” and to convert the hearts of the willing among His chosen people Israel; Perfection of Meekness, Jesus allows the unjust evil of both the Jewish leadership and Pilate as they falsely condemn Him to an agonizing death.
Realize your sins contributed to Christ’s Crucifixion
Realize: While some twist scripture (Mt 27:25, Acts 4:27) to falsely accuse Jews collectively for the death of Christ (CCC 597), the Church confirms Jesus was crucified so that the sins of every faithful and repentant sinner across all time could be forgiven.
Believe: Reflect upon All Sinners caused Christ’s Passion (CCC 598).
Pray: Holy Spirit, give me the Fruit of Generosity so I regularly pray for all sinners to repent and be received into the Holy Catholic Church so they can be forgiven.
Be freed from sin in the Sacrament of Penance
Realize: To avoid the fate of unrepentant Jews and Romans who colluded to kill Christ, every Catholic man must build a life-long habit of recognizing and regularly confessing his sins.
Believe: Reflect upon the Sacrament of Penance (CCC 553, 730, 976, 1441, 1461).
Pray: Jesus, Divine Priest, help me build the Virtue of Diligence (a part of Temperance) so I build a disciplined habit of confronting my sins daily and confessing my sins frequently (at least monthly) in the Sacrament of Penance.