A Farewell to Mars: An Evangelical Pastor's Journey Toward the Biblical Gospel of Peace

by Brian Zahnd

The gospel narratives make it clear that Jesus filled the role of scapegoat. With his crucifixion Jesus defused the powder keg of tension that had been building in Jerusalem during the governorship of Pontius Pilate. Jesus was a scapegoat for Pilate and Caiaphas and for the dangerous crowds they both sought to appease. We even have the curious remark about how the Roman governor Pontius Pilate and the Jewish king Herod Agrippa became friends around their mockery and condemnation of Jesus. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this they had been enemies. (Luke 23:11–12) Do you see how it works? These two powerful adversaries—Pilate and Herod—found a way to neutralize their enmity and become friends. They did it by treating Jesus with cruelty and contempt, by making him an object of mockery. Pilate and Herod found a scapegoat for their fear and loathing. Through the “miracle” of the scapegoat, these two dangerous rivals relaxed and became friends. Just like on the playground. Except that instead of taunts, their cruelty took the form of torture and crucifixion. Instead of a nameless, helpless victim to play the role of the scapegoat, they picked on the Son of God.