�� Pilate's reprt to Caesar continues:
���� "You know that in my veins flows the Spanish mixed with
���� Roman blood...When the Nazarene made his appearance, I
���� was walking in my basilic, and my feet seemed fastened
���� with an iron hand to the marble pavement, and I trembled
���� in every limb as does a guilty culprit, though the Naza-
���� rene was as calm as innocence itself. When he came up to
���� me and stopped, and by a signal sign seemed to say to me,
���� 'I am here!' though he spoke not a word. For some time I
���� contemplated with admiration and awe, this extraordinary
���� type of man, a type unknown to our numerous painter...
���� There was nothing about him that was repelling in its
���� character and I felt awed and tremulous to approach him.
���� Jesus, I said to him at last, 'Jesus of Nazareth, for the
���� last three years I have granted you ample freedom of speech
���� (it is not recorded anywhere, either in the Gospels, or
���� Roman historical records, that the Romans ever attempted
���� to suppress Christ's ministry) nor do I regret it. Your
���� words are those of a sage. I know not whether you have
���� read Socrates or Plato, but this I know, there is in your
���� discourse a majestic simplicity that elevates you above
���� those philosophers.
���� ...'your blood shall not be spilled,' I said, with deep
���� emotion, 'you are more precious in my estimation on account
���� of your wisdom than all the turbulent and proud Pharisees
���� who abuse the freedom granted them by Rome. They conspire
���� against Caesar, and convert his bounty into fear, impress-
���� ing on the unlearned that Caesar is a tyrant who seeks their
���� ruin...I will protect you against them. My prateorium shall
���� be an asylum both day and nith.'
���� I am your obedient servent, Pontius Pilate."
�� You can accept this letter, as I do, since it mades sense, or
dismiss it as most of your preachers and church Bible scholars will
do. Think for yourself! Doesn't it make sense to you that the Jews
would try and suppress this truth, since they were the ones who
crucified Him?