"Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, 'We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.'" Luke 23:1-2
Pilate will need to deal with these charges. He even asks Jesus if he really is a king! After feeling that Jesus is innocent of the charges, Pilate passes Jesus off to Herod since Jesus is a Galilean and would be in Herod's jurisdiction. The trial before Herod produces the same result: the innocence of Jesus. We would note in particular the transaction that takes place:'
"He (Herod) questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer." Luke 23:9 Jesus felt it best to remain silent. It would bring us to pause here and wonder if in some situations an accusation is brought against you, would it be better to remain silent?
In finding Jesus' innocent, Herod and the soldiers mock Jesus and place a robe on him and send him back to Pilate. I would invite you to reflect on this entire reading for Sunday's worship. The reading is Luke 23:1-12. May God's blessing be upon your reflection and worship this Sunday.
Pastor Marty