What Are You Looking For? Part 1: The Nicene Creed

Under Pontius Pilate

Under Pontius Pilate

            Why is this here?  Why was it important to mention Pontius Pilate?  None of the other main characters in this drama are in the Creed, neither Judas nor Caiaphas nor Herod Antipas.  Yet Pilate is.  Why?  For one reason, the mention of Pilate grounds the entire life of Jesus within an historical time period.  Pilate was prefect of Judea from A.D. 26 until A.D. 37.  (Or if you prefer, 26 CE to 37 CE.)  Also, Pontius Pilate was sent by Rome.  Therefore he would have been the top dog, if you will, in the area at that time.  The others, in terms of the law, were minor players.  Herod Antipas, Caiaphas and even Judas could not have carried out the execution of Jesus.  Only Pilate could give that order.  Which he did as we all know.

            All of the major players had their reasons for what they did.  After nearly 2000 years, we can only speculate what they were.  I think Judas really believed Jesus was the Messiah.  But he misunderstood Jesus’ mission.  I think he thought by turning Jesus over to the High Priest Jesus would assert his kingship and free Israel from Rome.  He wanted to be free from the oppressor.

            Herod was curious.  He wanted to see a miracle.  He was looking for a circus act.  So he was pleased when Jesus was sent to him.  When it became clear that Jesus wasn’t going to play his games, he sent him back to Pilate.  In doing so, he underscored Pilate’s authority over him.  He was content to be number 2, as long as he was a powerful number 2.

            Caiaphas is another interesting character in the divine drama.  Caiaphas, like Herod, had a lot of power within the context of the temple.  There was also, no doubt, a certain amount of religious pride involved.  He was the High Priest.  He was wise (in his own eyes) and he knew what was best for the people.  And what would best was to maintain peace with Rome, thereby insuring the continuation of his own position.

            Then we come to Pilate.  It was his job to keep the peace.  If he failed and let someone accused of treason against Rome go free and the emperor found out, he would be recalled and disgraced.  But the more he questioned Jesus, the more he was convinced of his innocence.  But the Jews were insistent.  Eventually, to save his own job, he gave in.  And Jesus was killed. 

            They each played a part.  Pilate did have to make the final decision, but all were guilty.  And if we look closely at them, we can see some of them in each of us, making all of us guilty.  “We must regard as guilty all those who continue to relapse into their sins.  Since our sins made the Lord Christ suffer the torment of the cross, those who plunge themselves into disorders and crimes crucify the Son of God anew in their hearts (for he is in them) and hold him up to contempt.  And it can be seen that our crime in this case is greater in us than in the Jews.  As for them, according to the witness of the Apostle, ‘None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.’  We, however, profess to know him.  And when we deny him by our deeds, we in some way seem to lay violent hands on him.  Nor did demons crucify him; it is you who have crucified him and crucify him still, when you delight in your vices and sins.” (St. Francis of Assisi, Admonitio 5, 3. CCC598)

            Judas, Caiaphas, Herod Antipas, even Pontius Pilate didn’t get it.  They didn’t understand what they were doing.  Perhaps one could argue that Pilate even had the most excuse for not understanding because he was a Gentile.  He didn’t know the Law and the Prophets.  But even those who did didn’t understand.  That’s why we bear the greater guilt.  We do know.  We do understand.  The Divine Plan has been explained to us.  We know why Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate.  And yet we still like to hold on to our pride and our power.  Like Pilate, we compromise to keep our position.  We’re okay with taking up our cross as long as we can have a nice life along with it.