Why doesn't Jesus plead innocence? Where are his family, friends and followers to defend him? We don't understand this man who talks of the kingdom of God coming, here now, but allows this injustice to happen to him and doesn't seem to put up a fight. And so we scatter. I know I betray Jesus like Judas and fall in despair. I know I follow him only at arms length and deny him like Peter. But are we not called to follow Jesus to the end?
I think of all the innocent woman and men around the world who are condemned to die, for no other reason for being who they are. Do I wash my hands of their cirucmstances? Christ is condemned now as then: when police brutality goes unchecked on the streets of Vancouver; when someone with power abuses someone physically, sexually, and emotionally; when warlords in Africa keep basic food and necessities from the people; and perhaps even when a rich and free nation like the United States at times wields it's power on the international stage in fear and self-interest. We condemn others to certain kinds of deaths.
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