Wednesday April 10, 2024
Theme: “Breaking the good news to the authorities”
Text: John 18:33-38
33. Pilate went into the praetorium and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the king of the Jews? 34. Jesus answered, Do you say this about yourself, or have others told you about me? 35. Pilate answered: Am I a Jew? Your nation and the chief priests have delivered you up to me: what have you done? 36. My kingdom is not of this world, Jesus replied. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have fought for me so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but now my kingdom is not from here below. 37. Pilate said to him: Are you then a king? Jesus answered: You say it, I am a king. I was born and came into the world to bear witness to the truth. Whoever is of the truth listens to my voice. 38. Pilate said to him: What is truth? When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, I find no crime in him.
Let's remember:
Pilate, being Roman, did not know the things of God, mainly the events that were foretold by the prophets. Jesus gives him a brief overview of some divine truths written in the sacred book. Jesus announced the good news to Pilate, who is an authority, the prefect of Judea. Jesus first made sure if people had already told him the good news. Presumably no, he has no knowledge of divine revelations. Jesus then proclaims the good news concerning his origins and his mission. Jesus was not so fearful as to deny his divinity. Many people deny their identity out of fear, shame, lack of conviction or deception. Jesus tells him a message that lights his lantern, Pilate understood that Jesus was not guilty of anything. He also told him that if he would have wanted to overthrow the authorities, he would have done so because he is the Lord of hosts. He could have called several legions of his servants the angels, who would have decimated the soldiers who were responsible for stopping him. Jesus did not speak for long, his speech was brief but effective. He circumscribed his entire message into a few clear sentences. Before the authorities, there is no need to multiply empty words. All you have to do is compile your speech with reference keywords. Jesus bore witness to the truth. Have a great Wednesday. Amen
Alain Louz.-