"The King of the Jews." That was the title which Pilate nailed above the cross where Jesus hung. You would have thought the Jewish priests would have been glad to see this so-called king humiliated so. But no, it must be changed, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' " they said, "but, write, 'This man said, I am King of the Jews.' " Without hesitating Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

Perhaps Pilate's mind still burned with the memory of his encounter with the strange man whom he had sentenced to death a few hours earlier. It had been a disturbing experience.

The political-religious situation in Palestine was tense. It was the time of Passover and Rome wanted it to be observed peacefully. Now the priests had handed over to him a traveling preacher who was poor, but po…