Today’s scripture: John 18:38-19:15 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Keith Phillips):
Pontius Pilate was prefect of Judea from 26–36 C.E. He was the most visible representative of the Roman occupation. Josephus, a first century Jewish historian, depicts Pilate as an uncompromising bully, who, unlike his Roman predecessors, had no respect whatsoever for Jewish customs.
John’s Gospel portrays Pilate as a milder man, trying his very best to find a way around a difficult situation. My guess is that Josephus is more historically accurate, although Pilate surely had his hands full with Annas, Caiaphas, and the rest of the Temple crowd who were about as politically ruthless as the Romans.
Both Pilate and the Temple officials had the same hidden agenda: maintaining power.
Soon after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the high priests and Pharisees called the religious leaders together and said, “If we let him go on, pretty soon everyone will be believing in him and the Romans will come and remove what little power and privilege we still have” (John 11:48; The Message). A few verses later John writes: “From that day on, they plotted to kill him” (John 11:53).
In the back-and-forth of Jesus’ trial before Pilate, the Temple officials present the charge of treason against Jesus by telling Pilate that he had proclaimed himself to be King of the Jews. Pilate is not bothered by that. After having Jesus flogged, he mocks him by bringing him out, clothed in a royal purple robe and wearing a crown of thorns. He says to the religious leaders, “Behold, the man,” pathetically dressed up as a king. Finally the Temple authorities clearly tell Pilate, “If you pardon this man, you’re no friend of Caesar’s. Anyone setting himself up as ‘king’ defies Caesar” (John 19:12). Only then does Pilate cave in, because if a report of an alternative uncontested king in Judea were to go back to Rome, Pilate would be out of a job. So Pilate turns Jesus over to the high priests to be crucified.
Although unspoken and kept secret (hidden agendas always are), the motivations of the high priests and of Pilate were the same: to maintain as much power as possible for themselves. Therefore, Jesus, an unsubstantiated threat to that power, dies.
Contrast this with Jesus’ open and honest presentation of himself during the trial. When questioned by Annas, Jesus pointed out, “I’ve spoken openly in public…. I’ve said nothing in secret…. My teachings have all been aboveboard” (John 18:20, 21). When asked by Pilate if he is the King of the Jews, Jesus clearly answers, “My kingdom doesn’t consist of what you see around you…. I’m not that kind of king, not the world’s kind of king…. Because I am King, I was born and entered the world so that I could witness to the truth” (John 18:36, 37). Such a difference! And Jesus still lives!
Thought for today: Since my hidden agendas are generally hidden even from myself, constant self-examination can help me be more like Jesus, and less like Pilate and the religious leaders.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.