John 18:28-40
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to protect my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
“You are a king then,” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
“What is truth?” Pilate asked.
With this he went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no basis for the charge against him. . . .” John 18:36-38 (NIV)
Many years ago a teacher told me that when reading a particular Scripture passage to pay attention to where the silences are. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke record Jesus as saying nothing to counter the accusation of him being the King of the Jews…(See Matthew 27:11-14, Mark 15:2-5, Luke 23:3-4.) In each he replies: “You say so” and then he says nothing. So Jesus’s silence leaves Pilate in the dark and wondering what this means. In speaking to the early Christians, or those who are seeking an understanding of who this Jesus is, these 3 synoptic gospels each leave the reader to fill in the blanks. But the gospel of John wants them and us to know that Jesus’s kingship is not what we and the world thought it was to be…..
What follows are Pilate’s last words, “I find nothing wrong in this man. . .” and “I find no basis for the charge against him.” He is playing with the Jews at the same time that he wants no blame accorded to him by the Romans either. In the Gospel of Matthew, I think it is also important to note that Pilate’s wife warns him not to have anything to do with Jesus because she too finds no fault in him. Though it seems as though he did not pay any attention to her warning, yet I wonder…..When Pilate asks Jesus “What is truth?” he is open to a new understanding that transcends anything he has thought about Life and about Jesus and even about what a “kingship” that is “not of this world” could mean.
I can well imagine that in hearing this exchange, not only Pilate but those who were listening closely for what Jesus would say, would be confounded. What is a kingship that is “not of this world”? And “What is truth?”
The Jews would know the center of their faith is one God, creator of all things and there is to be no other gods acknowledged nor given any power. But did they really know God as fully as God wanted them to know him? Jesus was going to reveal more about God than any of them had ever known . . .God’s grace….God’s mercy…. God’s focus on people and not things…. God’s freedom from unnecessary and harmful rules and laws….God’s peace-Shalom-in its fullest expression. . .
Questions for Reflection:
- And so now we too are confronted with the same question: “What is Truth?”
- Why did Pilate say he found nothing wrong with this man? And how do you understand his weakness in allowing Jesus to be punished and ultimately to be crucified?
- Do you identify with Pilate in any way? How?
- What do YOU think Jesus meant when he said, “I am the Truth”? (and ultimately, “the Way…...and the Life?”
Prayer:
Gracious and Merciful God –
How can we ever thank You enough for showing us how much You love us through the life of Jesus, Your Son? Forgive us when we identify with Pilate in not knowing what to think or say or do when confronted with life choices that clearly expect us to respond in ways that are not Your ways. Thank You for giving us second and third and fourth chances to make things right especially when there is a possible do-over and then to correct our wrongs so that “all things work together to do Your will and for our good.” We want to know Jesus as Truth, and as the Way and as the Life. Thank you that your Holy Spirit keeps teaching and guiding us in the twists and turns of our lives here on earth until we meet You face to face in Your new World. In Jesus’ name
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