FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: Passover and Easter
The Jewish calendar year begins in late September or early October with the celebration of Rosh Hashana. Unlike our calendar, which is based on the solar year, the Jewish calendar uses 12 lunar months of 29 to 30 days in length. Every two or three years the Jewish calendar requires the adjustment of a leap year. During a Jewish leap year an additional month of 29 days is inserted before the month of Nisan. This is a Jewish leap year when Passover is pushed farther into April. Both holidays face head-on the daunting power of death — and both announce God’s greater power of life.
Jesus came into Jerusalem for the Passover celebration and we read the account of Jesus before Pontius Pilate and the subsequent judgement and crucifixion of Jesus in the Gospel of John 18:28-40. Many have debated the character and person of Pontius Pilate — what kind of man was he? Cruel and vindictive or just a weak ruler? Steve Marr, a local writer, has a hobby of researching coins related to the Bible and one that focuses on Pilate’s coins that give an insight into what kind of man he was. The following are excerpts from Steve’s article:
Pilate’s Coins Reflect His Nature
“Pilate is one of the central characters in the legal proceedings that sent Jesus to the cross. When Pilate realized that his interrogation of Jesus was going nowhere and the uproar of the crowd was escalating, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” (Mathew 27:24, NIV) Was this an act of indifference? Was Pilate trying to appease the crowd? Or was there something more behind this metaphor of water and washing hands? If we examine the coins that Pontius Pilate authorized while Jesus walked this earth, perhaps it will provide insight into Pilate’s spiritual persuasions that allowed the crucifixion of our Lord.
Historically, the Roman Emperor appointed a Procurator or governor over Roman provinces. These Procurators, like Pilate, produced small, copper coins for use in everyday commerce. Each governor produced his own crudely-made coins, hand punched on a piece of copper.
The first coin used the image of the simpulum, a Roman ceremonial ladle used in Roman pagan ceremonies. At that time the libation label was used to pour out offerings to the Roman pagan gods.1 The inscription on the front of the coin read: TINEPIOY KAICAPOC, translated it means of Emperor Tiberius. This clearly pointed to Pilate’s claim as the head priest over the Roman Empire.
The Bible reminds us that wine offered as drink offerings was presented only to God. These offerings as ordained and described in scripture were very different from the Roman offerings made to pagan gods.
The reverse side of these coins showed a wreath along with the same inscription, of Empress Julia, mother of Tiberius. The symbols that Pilate chose to use on the coins circulated in Judea were like sending an arrow to the heart of the Jewish people. It was almost like he went out of his way to use symbolism that directly offended the Jews. His coins not only pictured the overwhelming power of Rome, they promoted pagan religion.
Today, we use historical political figures we may or may not like on our coins, but they still display the wording; “In God we trust.” Imagine if we were forced to use coins every day that highlighted pagan or witchcraft symbols and we had no choice but to use them to buy bread and other necessities.
Some portray Pilate as a weak, indecisive or cowardly leader. However, his coins tell a different story. He believed in sorcery and the Roman pagan gods and pushed those beliefs through symbols on his coins. By doing so, he participated with the work of the enemy of man’s soul.
These examples from 2000 years ago help document the mind of the person who ordered the crucifixion of Christ and ruled Jerusalem on behalf of Rome. Though part of God’s plan, Pilate was much more than an innocent bystander. He placed on his coins what resonated in his heart. With the freedom of choice his rule gave him, he did nothing to stop the crucifixion even though he did not believe Christ’s actions warranted the death penalty. Though he believed his authority gave him power over life and death, God defied the very symbols on his coins with the resurrection of Jesus. The power of his coin didn’t go beyond the worth of the copper it came from. In the end, God had the last word and we remember Pilate as the man who didn’t.”
Steve Marr is president of “Business Proverbs” and if you want to sign up for this blog or more information go to www.businessproverbs.org.
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Bob Shillingstad is a regular Press contributor of pieces on religion. Email Bob: bjshill@mac.com