See To it Yourselves
Then Pilot said, “I have questioned this man called Jesus,
But I could not find him culpable of a Roman crime.
So, I sent him north to be judged by Herod Antipas
Who is Tetrarch of Galilee at this time.
But Herod too, could find no fault with him.
So, I will free your rabbi Jesus after my guards have scourged him.”
“NO! NO!” clamored the Jewish leaders standing before him.
“If you release this blasphemer, you are no friend of us or Caesar.
By Roman law, he who declares himself king, rebels against your Emperor.”
Pilate pondered this and said, “Is it not your custom at this time of year
That one Jewish prisoner be freed and released back to you here?”
“THEN, FREE BARRABAS,” barked Caiaphas, high priest of the Jews,
While surrounded by dozens of the Pharisees he used
To shadow and entrap the man said to be the ‘King of Jews.’
And the crowd clamored, “YES! YES! FREE BARRABAS! BRING HIM HERE!”
“But what should I do with your rabbi Jesus standing here,
Whom some of you have called your Christ”? Pilate queried.
“CRUCIFY HIM!” retorted Caiaphas, and the crowd loudly agreed.
Whereupon Pilate placed his hands into a shallow basin among the shelves,
Washed his hands in water before the crowd, lifted them up so all could see,
Smirked and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. See to it yourselves.”
Copyright ©
Steven Getz
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