Of Such Is the Kingdom Part III—The Early Church and the Roman Empire

Meanwhile in Caesarea:

“Portia, dear, I’m home. “

“How was your day, dear?”

“Oh, alright.  A lot of cases.”

“Did you stand up to the people?”

“You bet I did.  I let them know who was boss alright.  I heard that those stupid Samaritans were gathering at Mount Gerizim, so I sent a battalion of my finest men to disperse them.  They said the fools resisted and it was a bloody dispersal, but I couldn't take a chance on riots breaking out.”

“That's my Pilate!”

"And then there are those Jews and their silly laws!  I sentenced one man to hard labor for stealing and he told me he couldn't work on the Sabbath, so I doubled his punishment.  That should teach 'em!”

“There!  That's my Pilate talking!  Well, go ahead and get washed.  The supper's on the table.  You can tell me more about it as we eat.”

It was another one of Dora’s delicious meals.  As they ate, he told of case after case where he stood up to the Jews and didn't acknowledge their laws.  Each time, she would smile and say “That's my Pilate talking!”

When they had eaten, they started to get ready for bed when there was a loud knock on the door.

“I wonder who that could be at this time.”

As Dora had been dismissed, Pilate himself answered the door to find himself face to face with an emissary from Rome.  “Good evening, procurator," he said.  “I’m sorry, but I have a summons from Caesar in Rome.  It has been reported that you are excessively cruel and oppressive to the people here.  The Jews and the Samaritans have complained about you.  The Jews charge you with bigotry and cruelty and the Samaritan's charge you with massacre.  You are ordered to return to Rome for trial.”

“What?”  They couldn't believe their ears.  “This is an outrage!” protested Portia.  But the emissary just shoved the summons into the hand of Pilate and turned to go.  As he was leaving, she yelled after him, “What does Caesar care about the lousy Jews and Samaritans, anyway?”

Pilate tried to stop her, but it was too late.  The emissary turned and said “Yes, your Excellency, you'd better keep your wife in better control in the future or she could be in trouble too.  But to answer your question, madam, since I am close to Caesar Tiberius, and I happen to know that he is concerned about Rome's reputation, and rightly so.  Rome is number one in the world and he wants it to remain so.  We don't want our reputation tarnished by the likes of you two.  Good-day.”

After he had gone, Pilate said, “Well, I guess I should have held onto my former idea of actually caring about the people I govern.  Why did I have to listen to you?”

“Now, now, Pilate.” she scolded.  “I still say you acted correctly.  We'll go to Rome and sit for their mockery of a trial.  What can they prove anyway?  It's your word against the people, and what are they going to do?  Are they going transport witnesses from here to there?  Don't worry dear.  We'll beat this.”