I marvel at the story of Jesus. Born into poverty, he taught equality, love and forgiveness for salvation, and he died a criminal’s death. Regardless of divinity, I cannot imagine his refusal to defend himself at trial. The Jewish hierarchy wanted him dead for blasphemy, his followers had abandoned him out of fear for their own lives, Pilate wanted no trouble at Passover to embarrass himself before mighty Caesar. Pilate found no guilt, and washed his hands of the unpleasant affair.

Jesus stood alone; he had only to say, “Let me live, and I’ll leave town,” and Pilate would no doubt gladly have had him thrown out of Jerusalem, forgotten forever, the Passover celebrated by Jews in peace.

But Jesus did not leave, he did not abandon his principles, he accepted his terrible fate in silence. Say what you will about Jesus and Christianity, but the man had the courage of his convictions beyond anything any of us today can imagine. For that alone, Jesus deserves his place in history.