One of America’s great achievements is the SEPARATION OF POWERS, that is, the way our government separates the executive, judicial, and legislative powers.
This separation prevents massive, nation-destroying corruption. Imagine if a president had the power to outlaw guns, the power to prosecute you for owning a gun, and the power to judge whether you are guilty? Such a system allows the executive to make any law he wants, and to jail anyone he wants. Most kingdoms were run that way. If your king was corrupt, your only hope was to stay off his radar; avoid becoming his next target.
And this was the problem Jesus faced. Pontius Pilate had a SEPARATION OF POWERS problem. The emperor appointed Pilate Governor of Judea—a post that allowed him to pass laws, enforce laws, and punish law breakers. And what did the emperor want from Pilate in exchange? Keep the peace. Control the rabble, put down riots, and keep plenty of tax money flowing back to Rome.
When Jesus stood before Pilate, Pilate KNEW HE WAS INNOCENT: Jesus said so little in His defense, Pilate was “greatly amazed” Matthew 27:14. Pilate’s wife warned him not to get involved after God warned her in a dream.
Pilate KNEW the Jewish leaders were jealous of Jesus. He tried to set Jesus free, but the crowd chose Barabbas. So Pilate said, “I find no grounds for charging this man” Luke 23:4. Then he tried to get out of it by sending Jesus to Herod. Herod sent him back. So Pilate complained again, “I have found in Him no grounds for the death penalty. I will have Him whipped and released” Luke 23:22. But the crowd screamed for blood and “a riot was starting, so he took some water, washed his hands, and said, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood. See to it yourselves’” Matthew 27:24.
Pilate caved because his integrity as a judge was corrupted by his responsibility to keep the peace. The Separation of Powers prevents such corruption.
Say a prayer of thanks for your amazing nation.
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P.S. By contrast, consider the story of Gallio the proconsul of Achaia who, when faced with accusations against Paul, answered:
“‘If it were a matter of a crime or a moral evil, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you Jews. But if these are questions about words, names, and your own law, see to that yourselves. I don’t want to be a judge of such things.’ So he drove them from the judge’s bench.” Acts 18:14-16.
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