You were living in Jerusalem during the time of the Roman Empire, yes they had an empire which was characterized by their military strength infrastructure projects, and they were paying higher taxes for the city of Judea which was a Roman province with significant internal tension.

In the past 500 years, the Jewish people have been fighting for their Homeland, they succumbed to the might of Rome, the people of Judea knew about the Roman laws and if nobody would follow their laws they would be sentenced to be crucified which was their method of punishment and torture.

You were walking to the Wilderness and to your shock you saw the majority of people who had been crucified by the Romans, as you were heading to the River Jordan you saw that John the Baptist the man who had baptized Jesus was arrested by the Romans for challenging them and their governor Herod Antipas, deep down you were a Christian who was sympathetic and showed sympathy for them.

But you knew you had to return to Judea to serve in the Roman Empire, so as you headed back to Judea you went to Pontius Pilate's quarters he was sitting on his throne at his usual he looked at you, "Ah, yes, I know how much you really want this knowing that you are a soldier serving for an Empire, my Centurion and I had discussed much about you but you must understand what this Empire does and you have to obey it!"

You knew you had to obey the governor's orders knowing that it would change your life but you had to comply to serve the empire.