Pilate does everything he can to win Jesus' release, short of releasing him. Three times he says publicly that Jesus is innocent. We see him turning, twisting, squirming as he tries to avoid standing up for what he knows to be true. His final verdict: "He handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished." Pilate leaves the scene, a pathetic figure.
The last phrase in the above passage would be more accurately translated, "he handed Jesus over to their will." Jesus had wrestled with his will, and the Father's will ("not my will but yours be done"). now he faces "their will."
It doesn't seem fair.
It's tough enough to face physical suffering. But to be victimized by malicious people who "get their way" at your expense ... that's too much.
A billion years from know such trivialities won't matter. All that will matter is that you did your best to do what is right, tried to treat others with kindness, and put the rest in the hands of God.
There are a few things you can't change that you should probably put in the hands of God right now.
- Little Black Book, Diocese of Saginaw