Otherworldly truth

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” –John 18:36 (NIV)

Pilate was a politician, the Roman governor unlucky enough to draw the Judea assignment. He was a cog in the machine of the Roman system of keeping peace in the various regions of the empire. While the Jewish leaders normally had little reason to be fans of Pilate, on this day they needed him. They had found Jesus guilty of what was, for them, a capital offense – claiming equality with God. Yet they had no legal authority to carry out their sentence. They wanted Pilate to pronounce a judgment that would allow for Jesus’ execution. But Pilate had no regard for Jewish law or customs; there had to be another charge.

And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He… claims to be Messiah, a king.” –Luke 23:2 (NIV)

In his defense, Pilate encountered a situation he did not expect and was totally unprepared for. Something was going on that was way bigger than himself, bigger even than Rome. He had a struggle – his sense of right and wrong versus his political career versus his own human pride versus a strange sense of foreboding that he was out of his depth. Nevertheless, he had to determine whether Jesus was a threat to the machine.

So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” –Luke 23:3 (NIV)

Jesus was indeed a king. But His kingdom is not of this world. The Kingdom of Christ was no threat to Rome, but would, in fact, transcend the influence and control of the Roman empire. Jesus, as He so often does, was dropping a big ol’ truth bomb. And Pilate, as so often happens, was unable to connect Jesus’ truth to his immediate conundrum.

“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. –John 18:38a (NIV)

“Truth”, for the politician, can change moment to moment, depending on polling data and the audience being addressed. But real truth is not negotiable – it is what it is. Whether or not we understand or accept it makes it no more or less true. In earlier conversations with His disciples, Jesus identified Himself as THE Truth.

But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” –Luke 23:18 (NIV)

At the urging of their leaders, the mob demanded Barabbas. Barabbas had actually committed the crime Jesus was now accused of – inciting insurrection. This was not a surprise to Jesus, but must have been a gut-punch nonetheless. The Jews should have understood, but they didn’t.

So Pilate decided to grant their demand. –Luke 23:24 (NIV)

Pilate wanted no part of the situation. He didn’t want Passover festivities to turn into a full-scale riot. But he couldn’t quite commit to playing a role in the execution of this perfectly sane, perfectly peaceful, perfectly innocent man. So he washed his hands.

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” –Matthew 27:24 (NIV)

Was Pilate a shrewd leader or a craven coward? He knew the “right” answer. After weighing his options, he chose the politically expedient answer. He defused a volatile situation. He allowed one enigmatic Jew to die in order to keep the peace. He also violated his conscience to save his own neck. Am I ever a Pilate? Have I straddled that fence, washed my hands, wished I was somewhere else, instead of standing with the opportunity to speak up for my King, knowing there would be a cost in doing so? Jesus, be our truth. Give us vision. Give us wisdom. Give us courage.