Pilate's Choice

Then Pilate called in the high priests, rulers, and the others and said, "You brought this man to me as a disturber of the peace. I examined him in front of all of you and found there was nothing to your charge. And neither did Herod, for he has sent him back here with a clean bill of health. It's clear that he's done nothing wrong, let alone anything deserving death. I'm going to warn him to watch his step and let him go."

At that, the crowd went wild: "Kill him! Give us Barabbas!" (Barabbas had been thrown in prison for starting a riot in the city and for murder.)

Pilate still wanted to let Jesus go, and so spoke out again.

But they kept shouting back, "Crucify! Crucify him!"

He tried a third time. "But for what crime? I've found nothing in him deserving death. I'm going to warn him to watch his step and let him go."

But they kept at it, a shouting mob, demanding that he be crucified. And finally they shouted him down. Pilate caved in and gave them what they wanted. He released the man thrown in prison for rioting and murder, and gave them Jesus to do whatever they wanted.

Luke 23:13-25

Watch this video. This song speaks of potential and choices. As children we may boast of riding a bike with no handlebars, but what sorts of choices do we make later in life that are meant to draw attention to ourselves. We are presented with many choices to do good or harm with what power we have. Pilate chose to serve himself and his interests, not the ultimate or greater good. What are the consequences of your choices?

Handlebars
(c) 2005 James A. Laurie

I can ride my bike with no handlebars
No handlebars No handlebars
I can ride my bike with no handlebars
No handlebars No handlebars
Look at me look at me
hands in the air like it’s good to be
ALIVE
and I’m a famous rapper
even when the paths’re all crookedy
I can show you how to do-si-do
I can show you how to scratch a record
I can take apart the remote control
And I can almost put it back together
I can tie a knot in a cherry stem
I can tell you about Leif Ericson
I know all the words to “De Colores”
And “I’m Proud to be an American”
Me and my friend saw a platypus
Me and my friend made a comic book
And guess how long it took
I can do anything that I want cause look
I can keep rhythm with no metronome
No metronome No metronome
I can see your face on the telephone
On the telephone On the telephone
Look at me Look at me
Just called to say that it’s good to be
ALIVE
In such a small world
All curled up with a book to read
I can raise funds open up a thrift store
I can make a living off a magazine
I can design an engine sixty four
Miles to a gallon of gasoline
I can make new antibiotics
I can make computers survive aquatic conditions
I know how to run a business
And I can make you wanna buy a product
Movers shakers and producers
Me and my friends understand the future
I see the strings that control the systems
I can do anything with no assistance
I can change the nation with a microphone
With a microphone With a microphone
I can split on atom of a molecule
Of a molecule Of a molecule
Look at me Look at me
Driving and I won’t stop
And it feels so good to be
Alive and on top
My reach is global My tower secure
My cause is noble My power is pure
I can hand out a million vaccinations
Or let’em all die in exasperation
Have’em all grilled leavin lacerations
Have’em all killed by assassination
I can make anybody go to prison
Just because I don’t like’em and
I can do anything with no permission
I have it all under my command
I can guide a missile by satellite
By satellite By satellite
I can hit a target through a telescope
Through a telescope Through a telescope
I can end the planet in a holocaust
In a holocaust In a holocaust
In a holocaust In a holocaust
In a holocaust In a holocaust
I can ride my bike with no handlebars
No handle bars No handlebars
I can ride my bike with no handlebars
No handlebars no handlebars