Our sermon text for Sunday is one short verse about the wife of Pilate. Recall that she had a disturbing dream about the man Jesus. Here’s a paragraph from Sunday’s sermon.

Instead of a soothing presence, Jesus may be, as he was for Mrs. Pilate, a source of great suffering. Why? Because he whispers things you must forsake or embrace. He reminds you of things that need to be said, or of times you need to keep quiet. He calls us away from peaceful rest to a time of unsettled stirrings that cause us to leave the bed and walk the floor. Remember Jesus wasn’t crucified for being upbeat and affirming. You don’t bring the prophet of positive thinking to a cross. It’s the troublemaker—the agitator who receives crucifixion.