Pilate is talking to his wife about going out to meet with a friend. She claims he doesn’t have any friends. He counters that he has “useful contacts.” Do we take time to have friends who are more than “useful” to us?

We see several of the disciples sharpening knives. Apparently they’re worried about Jesus’s safety and want to be ready to protect him. Are you aware of a place in scripture where Jesus asks his people to protect him?

Simon the Zealot is acting nervous. A fellow disciple finally gets the explanation that he’s anxious because some of his old zealot buddies are in town, probably to kill him for betraying their cause. The disciple suggests he ask Jesus for help but Simon says “Jesus cannot be involved.” What areas of our lives do we try to keep Jesus out of?

The Roman boss in Capernaum, Quintus, tells centurion Gaius to “make things miserable” for people in the tent city that’s sprung up. In our desire to think of ourselves as “humane,” are there people we try to engineer misery for so they’ll go away (without wounding our conscience)?

Mary Magdalene and Tamar are uncomfortable with each other. The solution appears to be opening their lives & telling their stories to each other. I wonder if we’re willing to try that.

Tamar to Mary (who wallows in guilt & condemnation regarding her past): “Jesus forgave you but you choose to hold on to it.” What areas of brokenness and sin in our lives have become so important to our identity that we hold on to them even after Jesus has forgiven & delivered us?

Simon tells the zealots that have hunted him down that he can’t stay in their lifestyle because he’s found the Messiah. One retorts, looking around, “But there are still Roman soldiers; taxes are still being collected.” Simon’s answer, “Nevertheless, Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”