When It's Legal - The Rev. Philip DeVaul

There are multiple places in which people might have stood up in Jesus’ defense. He did, after all, have friends, disciples, and followers. It is clear in the narrative they are scared, overwhelmed, and feel powerless. What would any one of their voices even do? What would happen to them if they spoke up? Retaliation is real.

Maybe some people watched cautiously, assuming that the processes put in place would be enough to curb injustice and save Jesus’ life. After all, the Roman Empire was imperfect, but it had laws. And their own Judean authorities could not all be on the same page, right? Some would have the courage to stand up and demand fairness and integrity. The peace brokered between Rome and Israel included checks and balances, didn’t they? Why speak up when they could just let the system work.

Still, some would stay silent out of something between apathy and complicity. The status quo may not be great, but at least they knew how to navigate it. At least they had found a way to function within it. Sometimes there will be some injustice. Sometimes innocence is ignored or misunderstood. And anyway, is anyone really innocent? If Jesus hadn’t done anything wrong at all, what did he have to be scared of? The Roman governor Pilate made a show of washing his hands. Sure he did. We all know sometimes you’re going to get your hands dirty. Sometimes that’s the cost of greatness.