The Personal Journal of Maximillus - 5 Days Later

Pilate kept his word; he took the rebel who rode into the city on the donkey. Last evening, he sent the temple guard to take him. It was not difficult to arrange the capture. One of the Galilean’s own sold him out. It is my understanding that he led the guard right to the rebel. But it all nearly ended right there. One of the Galilean’s followers struck a soldier and cut off his ear but then this Jesus healed him – nothing more than a magician’s trick. After the temple guard took him to the Jewish council, he was handed over to Pilate. The governor had orchestrated it all without anyone being the wiser.

The charges brought against this Jesus were his claim to be the “king of the Jews” and that he had forbid people from paying taxes to Caesar. It is said that when he was asked about this that he said, “give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s and to God the things that are God’s."

Didn’t he know what he was saying? Doesn’t he realize that “the emperor [manifests] the sovereignty, presence, will, and blessings of the gods among human beings[?]” Everything belongs to Caesar; giving to God is giving to Caesar.

Then Pilate cunningly sent this Jesus to see Herod, tetrarch of the region of Galilee. Pilate said it was a courtesy, but I believe he did it for political reasons. He wanted Herod as a political ally. And Herod played along. He and his companions spent several hours humiliating this “king of the Jews.” When Herod returned him to Pilate, he had even dressed him mockingly in a royal robe.

Then I was privileged to witness the craftiest political move I can imagine. Pilate offered to release Jesus. He manipulated the entire series of events, all leading up to their demand for him to take action. He riled them to the point of frenzy and they could ask for nothing less. In so doing, he took care of the insurrectionist, Jesus, and he increased his approval ratings simultaneously. So, the sentence was set; it would be crucifixion just like for all the other insurrectionists who dared to challenge Mother Rome.

We carried it out like we have the dozens of times before. We led him along with 2 others, all 3 criminals carrying their transverse beams out to a hill on the main road so that everyone could see them. “Whenever we crucify the guilty, the most crowded roads are chosen, where the most people can see and be moved by this fear. For penalties relate not so much to retribution as to their exemplary effect” (Quintillian, Decl. 274). It is amazing to me that this punishment doesn’t deter more people than it does. You would think they would give up and settle for the stability of Pax Romana. But they just cannot take it.

We were out there for several hours. Nothing out of the ordinary. When it was all over and we were headed home, I noticed some of those that I had seen with the rebel several days ago. They stood some distance away, I guess hoping that they would not be next. I don’t know why Pilate didn’t just arrest them all. It has been such an effective deterrent in other places. I believe it can be here. I suppose it is because they denied knowing him that they escaped trial themselves.

This is our routine as we occupy this land. The end to another who would be king. I will continue to develop my relationship with Pilate. Perhaps he will be the one to bring stability to this land and that will mean that he will advance in the government and I believe that I will be able to follow along. But there will need to be more crucifixions like the one today if we are to rule this land.