An Innocent Man

Greetings.

When we left off, Jesus was before Pilate, being accused of all sorts of things, mostly partials truths and outright lies.  Pilate finds Jesus to be innocent, but Jesus' detractors press on.  We pick up the story in verse 6:  

6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was from Galilee.  7 Once he knew that Jesus was under Herod’s authority, he sent him to Herod, since Herod was in Jerusalem at the time. 8 Herod was very happy to see Jesus, since he had heard so much about him.  He hoped that he could see Jesus perform some miraculous sign.  9 Herod asked Jesus many questions, but Jesus didn’t answer any of them.  10 The chief priests and the scribes stood there, passionately making accusations against him. 11 Meanwhile, Herod and his soldiers ridiculed him.  They put a fancy robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. 12 On that day, Pilate and Herod became friends with one another.  Before this they had been hostile toward each other.

The Jewish leadership has been trying to paint Jesus as a threat to Rome, but Pilate isn’t really buying it.  So, when Pilate hears them say ‘Galilee,’ he sees an opportunity to rid himself of this situation.  He could ship him off to Herod, since Herod was actually in Jerusalem at the time.  

Herod was excited to see Jesus because he was hoping that Jesus would perform some miracle for him.  Cdertainly, he could have performed miracles for Herod, Jesus, however, was not intending to be Herod’s entertainment.  Jesus would not even answer his questions.  

As Luke describes it, this must have been quite a scene.  Herod was likely very frustrated because Jesus refused to give him what he wanted, so Herod and his soldiers turned to ridicule.  The Jewish leadership is busy throwing accusations at Jesus, hoping something will stick so that they can have him executed.  Meanwhile, Jesus does nothing.  He stands there silently while this spectacle goes on around him.  Like a lamb before his shearers, Jesus is silent. (Isa. 53:7)

Jesus is being treated like a criminal, even though he is not one.  He isn’t acting like one, either.  He isn't pleading his innocence, nor is he begging for mercy. 

Herod, not knowing what to do with Jesus, mockingly dresses him up in a fancy robe and sends him back to his new freind, Pilate. 

Although it doesn't mention it here, we know from verse 15, that Herod, in spite of not getting what he wanted,, saw no reason to charge Jesus. Now, there are two judgments of innocent on Jesus, both Pilate and Herod. Luke has established quite well that Jesus is innocent of any charges.  Even the biggest authorities in the region have found it that way.  Yet, Jesus is still under arrest, still being mocked and brutalized and still heading toward crucifixion. 

Ultimately we know that it was not the adamant nature of the chief priests that this continued toward the Cross, but because it was God’s will for this to happen. The Lamb of God has remained silent before his accusers and soon will be led to the slaughter.