It is interesting to me that Pilate succumbs to fear of the crowds and fear of rioting. The Governor of one of the most powerful empires in world history gets nervous, appears powerless, and gives into the crowd. So much for the Roman confession “Caesar is Lord”!
The cry “His blood be on us and on our children!” has sadly been used to justify horrific acts against the Jewish people by Christians. Perhaps our Christian fathers and mothers in the faith missed something. For this cry, “His blood be on us and on our children!” is the cry of the whole people of God. But far from being simply a cry of murder or vengeance, it is also–if unintentionally–a cry for salvation. We want the precious Blood of Jesus to be on us and on our children, for this blood saves, this blood washes, this blood gives new life. Every time we celebrate the Holy Communion, this blood is our salvation drink.
Prayer: O Holy Jesus, Lord Christ, may your precious and life-giving blood be on us and on our children, now and forever. Amen.