The gospel reading for this week tells of the trial and conviction of Jesus. Pastor Jonathan relates to us that this shows us that, just as now, there was political and religious strife in Jesus' time. Just like today, the polarization was a strong influence, with hate and distrust for "those people" rampant. Indeed, such patterns emerge as early as elementary school. But Jesus, with his outstretched empty hands, shows us that there is an alternative to the constant escalation.