Abdication of Responsibility just won't wash

IT’S not my fault!’ How often do we hear children saying this when a squabble breaks out, something gets broken or a mini-war starts in the school playground?

Adults aren’t much better. When trying to distance ourselves from a work dispute or family argument, we have our own grown-up version of the same excuse: ‘It’s nothing to do with me!’ Or, when we want to dissociate ourselves from a situation completely, we might say: ‘I wash my hands of it’ (or him, or her, or them).

This phrase originates from the Bible. It is derived from the action of Pilate, the Roman Governor, during the trial which led to the execution of Jesus (see Matthew 27:11–26). Jesus was sent to Pilate by the Jewish court because it alleged he had made blasphemous statements about himself. It did not have the authority to sentence him to death; Pilate did.

When Pilate asked him if he understood himself to be King of the Jews, Jesus refused to plead his innocence. As Roman Governor, Pilate had the right to release a prisoner during the Passover celebrations. He could see no wrong in Jesus and offered to release him. But the Jewish authorities whipped up the crowd to demand that Pilate release Barabbas - a notorious criminal.

Reluctantly, Pilate gave in to their demands. The Bible records: ‘When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere and that a riot was imminent, he took a basin of water and washed his hands in full sight of the crowd, saying, “I’m washing my hands of responsibility for this man’s death. From now on, it’s in your hands. You’re judge and jury”’ (Matthew 27:24 The Message).

Pilate handed Jesus over to his soldiers, who led him away to suffer death by crucifixion. Did Pilate regret his decision? Did his conscience ever keep him awake at night?

Like him, we have choices. We can hope to defuse a difficult situation by absolving ourselves of any responsibility, or we can stand up for what we believe to be right and just. The truth is, it’s in our hands.

Uk & Ireland War Cry 31 May 2014