Description
It is the desire of every man to have a sense of purpose and self-worth. It is especially the desire of every parent for their children to look up to them with respect, honour and an aspiration to be like them. Pontius and Claudia are no exception. Pontius is the Governor of Judea, the most powerful Roman political figurehead in the region. His son Marcus looks up to him with awe – and proudly proclaims to everyone who cares to hear (and those who don’t!) about his father’s influence, wisdom and sheer greatness.
Within Miss Bethany’s school class there is a continual power struggle between Marcus, and Shadrach the son of Hezekiah – one of the most influential Jewish leaders at the temple. Both Marcus and Shadrach refuse to concede ground in their arguments over whose father is the most important, with Marcus convinced in his own mind that his own father Pontius is held in awe by all his subjects.
However, Pontius’ daily routine does not resemble that of a highly respected, mighty leader. In fact his days have degenerated into passing judgement on menial domestic disputes and petty crime in his Jerusalem courtroom. But he believes he is capable and deserving of much greater things, and he and Claudia lament every day they spend in the backwater of Jerusalem as they crave the lifestyle of the rich and famous in the seaside villas of Capernaum and Arimathea, and with the hope they will one day be held in the high esteem they crave. The frustrating days in the courtroom are not helped by the repeated appearances of such creepy low lives as the undertaker Mortis, and the self-opinionated political aspirants Julia and Antonio who are locked in a year long crusade for control of the comfy sofas in their house.
Meanwhile, Jerusalem is in the throes of its multi-centenary celebrations and local carpenter Thomas has been charged with the challenge of creating an inspiring sculpture to reflect the magnitude of the occasion. Pontius and Hezekiah are both involved in the opening ceremony, though with different political agendas – both of which are overshadowed by the presence of Jesus and his entourage who are starting to make their own presence felt in the region.
It is the time of the Passover, one of the most significant religious festivals of the Jewish people as they reflect on their people’s deliverance from captivity thousands of years earlier. But there is unrest in the city as Jesus announces himself as the new Passover lamb. Feeling his religious heritage being threatened, Hezekiah hatches a plot to have Jesus arrested and brought before Pontius, with the hope Pontius would bow to their wishes of having him killed before he completely corrupted the minds and lives of their people.
But now Pontius has a problem. He is convinced Jesus is innocent. His wife Claudia has even had a dream which leads to her pleading with Pontius not to hurt him. And he knows his son is at an age where his future morals and value will be shaped by the influence of his father. But letting Jesus free could cause an uprising which would affect any chance of future promotion, all dreams of the luxurious lifestyle his wife deserves – and the potential for harm to his family. When challenging Jesus as to his purpose, Jesus states that he has come to bring truth – which causes Pontius much internal angst. Now he must decide what to do with Jesus, knowing that whatever he chooses will have an impact on him and his family forever.
