Pilate: Part II
We know that truth is a powerful word, a powerful absolute
that can be known in everyday life and as discussed last week in the person of
Jesus. Now that we have this truth though, what is done with it is just as
important as knowing it. Pilate knew the truth, that is, that Jesus was innocent
and simply being brought to the so-called trial because of a frightened Jewish political
group. However, Pilate did not do what a
judge today would do when confronted with the facts; rather, he caved to the
pressures of the mob and masses and gave them Jesus on the cross. So, the question
I pose is this, what will you do with the truth you are given? Or in other
words, whom do you serve?
Selfishness and Authority
As
we know from the passion narratives, Pilate shirked his responsibility as a
ruler and sentenced an innocent man, the Messiah no less, to death. Obviously
there was something wrong with Pilate, for he had all the facts at hand, he
knew Jesus was innocent, but despite the findings still condemned him to the
cross. What led a man of authority to give up that power and duty to protect?
The great indicator of the reason
for this ultimate failure on Pilates part comes from Matthew 27:24 in which it
states, “So that when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a
riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd saying,
‘I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.’” Ah, there was
nothing in it for him; there was no gain to be had. In one word then, we can
say that Pilate was selfish. Selfishness is an idol, a big idol! Romans 1:
24-25 tells us that this is nothing new, “God gave them up in the lusts of
their hearts to impurity…because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie
and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed
forever! Amen.” Pilate worshipped himself, his ego, his position, and his
authority, which always leads to destruction. As the verse just read stated,
“God gave them up,” he no longer stressed over their depravity, but let them
stumble to their own ruin. It is easy to play Monday morning quarterback and
point fingers at past failures of others, but was Pilate not just trying to
save his job? He had been in trouble before, so why risk his livelihood?
Here is the point; sin and idolatry
often creep in unsuspectingly. You want that promotion, ok, maybe I’ll take
credit for work somebody else did or just bend the truth a little bit to get
ahead. As a professional athlete perhaps I’ll sneak those enhancing supplements
so I can make more money, break records, and gain even more prestige. That is
why we need to be cognizant of our motives, actions, words, and thoughts. Deep
down, like Pilate, we know when things are not right, when things are
intrinsically wicked, dishonest, and deceitful. This is willful sin. James
tells us that, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for
him it is sin.” Not only is it sin, but also it is destructive and menacing.
One of my absolute favorite books is Drawn
Into the Mystery of Jesus Through the Gospel of John, by Jean Vanier. In it
he frankly writes,
How often we ourselves have refused to follow our conscience
and the call of truth and justice because we were afraid of losing our job, our
friends or power of some sort. Such fear darkens the world and makes us lose
the truth of who we are.[1]
Whoa,
we, “lose the truth of who we are.” That is a pretty serious accusation, but
think about it, by denying what is right, what is so organic to our conscience,
we kill a little bit of ourselves, we become that much more enslaved to sin.
Look at the torment that Peter went through when after talking himself up about
being so loyal and true to Jesus, he outright denied to even knowing him and in
doing so, denied himself, his true character, which was defined and shaped
because of his relationship to Jesus. Peter was devastated, not knowing if his
momentary loss of self-identity cost him his life, that is, his bond with
Jesus. We have the authority and ability to choose good or bad, to choose on
the basis of what is inherently virtuous and decent or what will benefit
ourselves despite the consequences. Pilate used his authority for the latter,
for the worse.
Pilate’s authority was a fact. We know that he had the power
of choice for he told
Jesus,
“You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you
and authority to crucify you?”[2]
It’s subtle, but did you hear the tone of superiority in his voice? “You will
not speak to me, the ruler of Judea,
backed by the power and might of Rome?” Pilate evidently thought well of himself
as do most debased and worldly rulers. Arrogance and power corrupt the mind so
much so that Pilate is willing to crucify a man he has deemed innocent. As Lord
Acton famously stated, “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Worldly
power is based on exertion of dominance and force. It builds upon and feeds
pride to the point where people think they are gods themselves. This power and
fame of the world is in direct opposition to that of Heaven. Galatians 6:8 says
that, “The one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption,
but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” This
means that those who use their gifts and goods to benefit themselves and sinful
nature will obtain that which is worthless and will inevitably fade into
nothingness. Those that invest in the Spirit, that is, God’s will, can expect
bountiful results, perhaps not here in the world that is wasting away, but in
heaven, “…where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break
in and steal.”[3]
Authority for the Christian then is based in submission and service, which is
diametrically opposed to worldly authority that is most often grounded in
personal gain and pride.
Pilate, like many today, gambled
with his power by trying to gain support from opposing forces and in the end
chose incorrectly because of spiritual blindness. When he chose death for Jesus
he showed his true allegiance, which was to himself and in doing so denied the
true source of his power and authority in the first place, God. If he had even
a smidgen of discernment, he would have listened to Jesus when he said, “You
(Pilate) would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you
from above.”[4]
Our power comes from God, as does the whole of creation. In listening and
understanding God’s will in our life, we can choose to have life and
fulfillment instead of chasing pipe dreams.
As followers of Christ Jesus, we are
to empty ourselves of selfish ambition and the need to control, for sin feeds
on these two elements breeding pride and greed. “No one can serve two masters…”[5]
therefore we are to follow the example of Jesus and rely on God the Father for
direction and guidance. Though times it may seem difficult if not impossible to
do what is right and true, the benefit of sticking to the path of righteousness
is worth the suffering. We will not only keep ourselves intact as we refuse to
compromise our beliefs, but will store in heaven riches that will extend into
eternity.
your discussion about Pilate is very in depth. as a public official Pilate had the feasance to act yet pandered to the mob.
ReplyDelete