The whole tense drama highlights the power for good or ill that each human being possesses.  Think for a moment of all the varied influences which go towards moulding our character and colouring our life – home, religion, school, radio, television, the Internet, newspaper articles, books, fellow-workers, friends, even casual acquaintances.  We cannot escape their constant effect on us, nor can those we associate with escape our influence on them.

It will not, of course, always be to the same degree: it was not so in the trial of Christ before Pilate.  The chief priests took the initiative; most of the mob as a result followed their lead, while others though secretly disapproving, remained silent.  So we might pass on a malicious story, or we might listen to one encouragingly, or again we might let it pass without demur.  But whatever our attitude is, it will have its effect.

For that reason it is not enough merely to refrain from doing wrong: we must throw our weight into the opposite scale by positive good after the example of Pilate’s wife. Indeed Our Lord will judge our discipleship by the influence it exerts on others, and that influence cannot fail to be good if we are anything like the sort of people God means us to be.