Fifth Station Jesus judged by Pilate Mark 15: 14,15 “I ask, who would choose to govern the Jews? When it meant my arising early at three, to receive the high priest in full panoply; expecting me to ratify his charge, against this man Jesus – a blasphemous preacher, he’d accused of spreading dissent. To get to the truth, I decided I would examine the prisoner by myself: to see if he was a threat to Rome, or was it another one of their religious feuds? When brought in, I got my first look at him, and for a Jew, he did impress me, thus I began to question him in Greek, on the charges laid against him; mainly, claiming to be their long-awaited messiah, which I took to be as some type of king. He said his kingdom was not of this world; though being born into the world, so he could witness to and bring all to the truth. Which only begged my question – what is truth? This seemed an issue about their religion, and more to do with their peculiar god; and I could find no evidence for sedition; but Caiaphas had him for preaching rebellion, to Jerusalem, from his home in Galilee; which being under Herod’s rule, it was to his court he would go to submit his plea; but Herod sent him back, as he was born in Bethlehem, a town now under me. Then came the last act, the road to Calvary. I was determined to have this man released, after being flogged, to teach him some caution; but Caiaphas soon objected – being not pleased, as it did not appease the Sanhedrin. Then I invoked the Passover custom, by which one prisoner could be reprieved; which should have satisfied the mob the obdurate priest had gathered outside. I offered them Jesus as their king, but it was for Barabbas the thief they cried. Determined as I was to have my way, against that rabble, it did not signify: we have no king but Caesar, was the cry! Given such a choice I could not proceed to free this man, though I knew I ought to. I could not prevail; the die was now cast: the mob had but one voice – to crucify! Before I signed, I called for water, to wash my hands of his guilt; and above his cross I had put: ‘The King of the Jews’. My wife had dreamt about that man Jesus, with a warning, for me to avoid his case; and though we have since left that land, she still has a dream that links both our names: A vision – of voices calling; to him as to a god, but against me – in infamy.