The Prospect and the Power of Innocent Suffering

Devotional Reflection, Thursday, July 3, 2025

Proper 8, the week of the third Sunday after Pentecost

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrase for reflection from today’s reading:

20Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; 21but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’ 22A third time he said to them, ‘Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death;

(You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.)

Daily Office Lectionary readings (BCP, 972)

AM Psalm 131, 132, [133]; PM Psalm 134, 135

1 Samuel 13:5-18;  Acts 8:26-40;  Luke 23:13-25

David's Reflections

Luke's account of Jesus' trial (along with his account of the early Church in The Book of Acts), underlines Jesus’ innocence of any politically treasonous behavior.  The Roman governor's decision to execute him as a traitor (crucifixion was execution for treason) could be explained as politically motivated.  The governor had done the expedient thing to preserve order.  Jesus suffered death although innocent of any wrongdoing. Luke alone records Pilate’s having sent Jesus to Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, the region of Jesus’ home. Herod found no legal fault with Jesus; thus, Luke further underlines the focus on Jesus not being a political subversive.

I recall vividly growing up in a still-segregated old South, where blacks ate in the kitchen in the restaurants, there were white and colored water fountains, and there were two school systems in town, one for whites and an inferior, under-funded one for blacks.  It was the 1970's before the two school systems disappeared in that town.  Civil government in the south routinely denied blacks their constitutional rights in America;  it took a spasm of crisis, years of struggle, and a number of deaths to change all that.

My point?  Civil government, no matter what its stated ideals, consists of human beings with their own power and ego needs.  The New Testament views civil government as a potentially demonic structure, given by God to keep order but capable of gross injustice and abuse of power.  (See 2 Thessalonians 2:1 and following and Revelation 13.)

The fears generated by 9/11, COVID19, the ongoing threat of terrorism, fears of immigrants, and other intractable challenges make us especially vulnerable to demagoguery in the name of safety and prosperity.  As Christians who value justice and the worth of the individual, these times demand that we be especially vigilant citizens, aware that the rights and freedoms someone else loses today could be our loss tomorrow.  It is too much to expect of government to make us safe.  Jesus certainly understood that.

The innocent suffering of Jesus reminds us that anything can happen to us.  We are not exempt from the risks shared by all people.  Our ultimate security and safety are in God, and it is in God that we must hope for security.  Human beings and human institutions cannot provide that.  (See Psalm 62.)

Collect of the Day, Proper 8, The third Sunday after Pentecost

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 230)

A Collect for Protection

O God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labor, and the repose of the dead: We thank you for the blessings of the day that is past, and humbly ask for your protection through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning hours; through him who died and rose again for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.  (BCP, 124)

For Peace

Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquility your dominion may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (BCP, 258)

A Prayer for Light

O Lord God Almighty, as you have taught us to call the evening, the morning, and the noonday one day; and have made the sun to know its going down: Dispel the darkness of our hearts, that by your brightness we may know you to be the true God and eternal light, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen.  (BCP, 110)

A Collect for Mission

O God, you manifest in your servants the signs of your presence: Send forth upon us the spirit of love, that in companionship with one another your abounding grace may increase among us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (BCP, 125)

Daily Office Gospel, Luke 23:13-25

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16I will therefore have him flogged and release him.’ 17 18Then they all shouted out together, ‘Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!’ 19(This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; 21but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’ 22A third time he said to them, ‘Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.’ 23But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. 24So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. 25He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer

Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer

Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer 

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer 

Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer

Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer