Mother told me to stay home, she told me not to listen any longer to these accusations against Yeshi, Rabbi, dare I say it, Messiah? I couldn't stay away though, I needed to be there.
By the time John came and told us about his arrest at Gethsemane, He had already been escorted to Pilate, which is where we went to join Him. As we ran to Him, I kept crying out to Jehovah, "Please spare Him, can't you save your people another way?"
I got there just in time to hear all the lies spewed at my Yeshi, I couldn't believe what was being said about Him, did they not know Him at all?
The accusers kept saying, "He says He is King, He refuses to worship Caesar." I wanted to yell back, "He says that because it is truth!" I refrained myself, knowing that is not what Yeshi would want.
Pilate was wavering, I could see that, especially when he asked, "Are you truly King of the Jews?" I shook my head thinking, of course He is, if anything He is King of the universe! Yeshi kept calm, and just turn His peaceful eyes toward Pilate and answered, "You say it."
I couldn't stop myself and started feeling joyful and hopeful inside as Pilate turned to the crowd and said, "I can find no fault with this man." I should have known that that wouldn't have mattered to this crowd, but I couldn't help but hope. The people cried out, "He is teaching the Jews about Himself."
Pilate was trying so hard, He really was, he didn't want to kill Yeshi, but He wanted to keep the people happy. Somehow he found out that we resided in Galilee, so he sent Him to Herod. As we walked on to Herod, my heart just kept sinking deeper and deeper. Herod had always had it out for Yeshi. Herod had wanted to meet Him since the wedding at Cana.
When we arrived, Herod started questioning Yeshi, but Yeshi just stood there, praying no doubt. Even though Yeshi didn't talk, there were more than enough there willing to accuse Him. Herod was loving the attention, and he wanted to continue to have all eyes on him. He sent his soliders to find a purple robe. When the soldiers got back, they started mocking Him, calling Him names, and He just stood there and took it.
Herod took Yeshi back to Pilate, and I knew it was over. I especially knew when I was reminded that Pilate and Herod hated each other. You could and would never have known, the way they were being so friendly to each other.
I still felt so horrible for Pilate as he stood there, He knew that Yeshi was not a criminal who should die. Pilate turned to all of the Jewish officals and said, "You have told me this man is perverting the nation. I have been questioning Him, and I can find no fault in Him at all. Even Herod can find no fault in Him, so why should He die? I will just rebuke Him, and then release Him."
The reason that Pilate said that, besides the obvious, is because Passover is a time of remembering what Jehovah has done for us, a time to look back. It has been our custom then to release one prisoner and Pilate was so certain that Yeshi would be the one released.
Why, do you ask? Well, the other prisoner was one who makes me shudder even now. He is Barabas, the murderer. Why would a murderer be released over our Messiah? Why? Because the people, who had worshiped Yeshi days earlier were blinded by the sin and darkness they lived in.
Poor Pilate! He was trying so hard! He prepared Yeshi to be released, but the crowd yelled, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" I wanted to cover my ears and run away, but I wanted to be there for my Yeshi.
Pilate tried a third time to release Him, he said he would rebuke Yeshi. The crowd was seething with anger, so much so that I feared for Pilate's life, as well as John's and my own. Pilates face was so horrible to look at, a look of despair and failure.
Pilate started to prepare that murderer for release, and I turned away and cried. I knew in my heart of hearts that it had to be this way. I wanted again to run away, and remember how life was only one year ago, but I knew that I couldn't, I knew I needed to be there.
To be continued :)
