Art by Anthony Ciseri (1821-1891), painted in 1871

“And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.”  Luke 23:12

The Politics of Pilate

The Politics of Pilate,
the Hubris of Herod,
on the day of preparation,
before the Sabbath,
when they beheld the Christ
as a lamb led to slaughter —

Two men of clout
could find no fault
yet looked
the other way.

Luke recounts,
Politics and Hubris once
foes became friends
the same day
they met the Christ:
they reasoned and found
their judgments  jibed —

Two men of consequence
saw nothing in the Christ
that was worthy of death.

Such is the substance
of man,
for politics must please
and hubris defies
the truth
if it has to stoop —

Yet let it be
for all righteousness
to be fulfilled.

by D. G. Vachal © 2012