I am Pilate's wife

593 i am the woman of pilatusI suddenly woke up in the night, startled and shaken. I stared at the ceiling in relief and thought my nightmare about Jesus was just a dream. But angry voices that came through the windows of our residence brought me back to reality. I was deeply concerned by the news of Jesus' arrest that I was retiring for the evening. I didn't know why he was charged with a crime that could cost his life. He had helped so many in need.

From my window I could see the judge's chair where my husband Pilate, the Roman governor, was holding public hearings. I heard him scream: "Which one do you want? Who should I release to you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus, who is said to be the Christ? ».

I knew that this could only mean that events during the night had not gone well for Jesus. Pilate might have thought a little naively that the amount raised would free him. The crowd was furious with the wild accusations of the jealous high priests and elders, and they cried out that Jesus should be crucified. Some of them were the same people who had followed him everywhere weeks earlier and received healing and hope.

Jesus stood alone, despised and rejected. He was not a criminal. I knew that and my husband knew that too, but things were out of control. Someone had to intervene. So I grabbed a servant by the arm and asked him to tell Pilate not to have anything to do with these events and I would have suffered a lot because I dreamed of Jesus. But it was too late. My husband gave in to her demands. In a cowardly attempt to get rid of all responsibility, he washed his hands in front of the crowd and declared that he was innocent of Jesus' blood. I stepped away from the window and slumped to the floor crying. My soul longed for this compassionate, humble man who heals everywhere and frees the oppressed.

When Jesus hung on the cross, the brilliant afternoon sun gave way to a threatening darkness. Then, as Jesus gasped, the earth trembled, stones split, and structures broke. Graves broke open and released dead people who came back to life. All of Jerusalem had been brought to its knees. But not for long. These terrible events were not enough to stop the blind Jewish leaders. They climbed over the rubble to Pilate and conspired with him to secure Jesus' tomb so that his disciples could not steal his body and claim that he had risen from the dead.

Now three days have passed and the followers of Jesus actually announce that he is alive! They insist on seeing him! Those who have returned from their graves are now walking through the streets of Jerusalem. I'm overjoyed and don't dare tell my husband. But I won't rest until I find out more about this amazing man, Jesus who defies death and promises eternal life.

by Joyce Catherwood