Luke 23:1-5: a reflection

1The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate. 2They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “So you say.” 4Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” 5But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place.”

Jesus is brought before Pilate, and his accusers pour out charges against him: that he perverts the nation, forbids paying taxes to Caesar, claims to be a king. The charges are twisted and false, distortions of what he had actually taught, framed to make him appear a criminal and a threat. Yet Pilate, after questioning him, declares plainly: I find no basis for a charge against this man. The innocent one stood accused of crimes he had not committed.

Notice that Jesus, wholly innocent, bore false accusation. The charges against him were lies, deliberate distortions meant to destroy him; and even the Roman governor could find no fault in him. The guiltless one stood condemned by false witnesses, silent under accusations he could have refuted. And in this we glimpse something deeper: the innocent one would go on to bear not only false accusation, but the real guilt of others, though he himself was without sin.

That speaks both to Christ's work and to our own experience. Christ, the innocent, bore false accusation and would bear our guilt though guiltless; the sinless one was condemned that sinners might be acquitted. And for us, when we are falsely accused, misrepresented, condemned for what we did not do, we can take comfort that Christ himself endured it, and understands. When you are falsely accused, remember that Jesus, wholly innocent, bore false accusation before Pilate; he knows what it is to be misrepresented and condemned unjustly. Entrust your case to God, who knows the truth, as Christ entrusted himself to the Father. And marvel that the innocent one bore accusation and guilt not his own, that you, though guilty, might be acquitted through him.

Lord Jesus, you were brought before Pilate on twisted, false charges, framed to destroy you, though even the governor could find no fault in you; the guiltless one stood accused of crimes you had not committed. And in this I glimpse something deeper: that the innocent one would bear not only false accusation, but the real guilt of others, though you yourself were without sin. Thank you that the sinless one was condemned that sinners might be acquitted. And when I am falsely accused, misrepresented, condemned for what I did not do, help me take comfort that you yourself endured it, and understand. When I am falsely accused, help me remember that you, wholly innocent, bore false accusation before Pilate; you know what it is to be misrepresented and condemned unjustly. Help me entrust my case to you, who know the truth, as you entrusted yourself to the Father. And help me marvel that the innocent one bore accusation and guilt not your own, that I, though guilty, might be acquitted through you. Thank you, Lord.