Moments to Ponder
Pondering is a lost practice today.
The idea that we might actually take a few moments to think deeply about anything seems indulgent in our busy, full schedules. Yet, our souls crave rest and space to breathe, process our lives, choices, and walk with Jesus. I invite you to join me fora few moments to take in Scripture and take away a few thoughts to ponder throughout your day.
Moments to Ponder
Episode 145: The Ultimate Power Play (John 18:28-19:16)
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What happens when the power of politics collides with religious authority? Jesus's trial before Pilate reveals a pivotal moment where human justice systems falter but divine plans prevail.
Pilate's interrogation of Jesus brings forward the timeless question: "What is truth?" While Pilate views truth as something determined by power and authority, Jesus embodies a truth that "comes from elsewhere but is meant to take up residence in this world," as theologian N.T. Wright eloquently describes. This ancient question resonates with our contemporary discussions of subjective versus objective truth.
Most profound is Jesus's complete sovereignty throughout his trial. What appears to be a tragic miscarriage of justice is revealed as God's redemptive plan unfolding exactly as prophesied centuries earlier. From Isaiah's foretelling of the sacrificial lamb to Jesus's strategic words and silences before his accusers, we witness divine orchestration at work. The religious leaders ultimately declare "we have no king but Caesar," tragically denying their messianic hope to achieve their immediate goal.
This episode challenges us to examine our own lives: Do we, like Pilate, prioritize social acceptance over conviction? Do we recognize God's hand even in apparent injustice? Join us as we ponder how the greatest injustice in human history became the foundation for our redemption.
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Hey friends, welcome to Moments to Ponder. This is a podcast designed to help you spend a few moments in God's Word, gain some new perspectives and find meaningful takeaways to ponder throughout your week. I'm Betsy Marvin and this is Episode 145. The separation of church and state. It can get a little fuzzy sometimes. This isn't a political statement in any way. It's just there's a reality of trying to live like Jesus, while also recognizing that government does play a role in our lives.
Speaker 1:Long ago in the history of many countries, it was decided that these two things, church and state, should be separate and not one. The history of England alone shows us how much harm can be done when a king or a queen is also the head of the church. Yet religion and politics were almost always interconnected in the ancient world. For Romans, caesar was a god to be worshipped, but when it came to their conquered territories, rome had learned the value of allowing some degree of local control in religion, as it kept rebellion at bay. But this could be complicated, which is what we see happening at the end of John 18. The religious and political leaders are going back and forth over what to do with Jesus. To help you understand the powers at play. Let's break it down. Obviously, caesar is at the top of the food chain over all of the Roman Empire. Obviously, caesar is at the top of the food chain over all of the Roman Empire.
Speaker 1:Then in our story, we have Pilate, the prefect, the governor of Judea, which includes Jerusalem. He was most likely a career politician, maybe even a soldier that had come up through the ranks, and the posting in Judea was most likely just a stepping stone to higher things. Posting in Judea was most likely just a stepping stone to higher things. Pilate lived primarily in Caesarea, but during major feasts he and his wife would stay in Jerusalem in order to maintain order. He was the head of the judicial system, collected tributes and taxes and disbursed funds, which included the minting of coins. His duties were primarily military, but think of it more like overseeing a police force, and as a representative of Rome, he was able to enforce capital punishment. Now, because of Rome's foreign policy, pilate did share a limited amount of civil and religious power with the Jewish Sanhedrin.
Speaker 1:Then we have Herod, who was the Tetrarch, or king of Galilee. This is the area north of Judea and Samaria and east of the Jordan River. Thus he actually had kingly rule over Jesus because Jesus was from Nazareth, which was in the Galilee area. Now, this isn't the same Herod that met the wise men. This is his son, herod Antipas. He didn't rule over Jerusalem or Judea, but he did go to Jerusalem for the feasts. So, to put it, in our world, Herod Antipas was more like a local king and Pilate was a Roman governor, so like a state governor and a US senator. They both are kind of from the same area, but one has a lot more power than the other. Then we have the Sanhedrin, which was a Jewish council made up of 71 members both Pharisees and Sadducees For this think Supreme Court with a high priest over it all. The council was responsible for legal, judicial and legislative matters for Jews in Judea and all beyond, to enforce the Mosaic law. So we have the greatest legal system of the ancient world and we have the noblest religion coming together in Jerusalem in this moment. I mean this is actually epic. And they both have agendas, but one has death on their mind.
Speaker 1:As we continue in John 18, we need to remember that it has been a really long night for Jesus and his followers, from dinner in the upper room to the garden and prayer. Jesus has gone from the trial at Annas' house to the trial at Caiaphas' home, and now it's early the next morning. We are in verse 28 of chapter 18. Jesus' trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn't go inside because it would defile them and they wouldn't be allowed to celebrate the Passover. So the rabbis don't go into Pilate's headquarters because it's still Passover week and they don't want to defile themselves.
Speaker 1:There's a lot of irony here. These leaders have held an illegal trial in the middle of the night. They want Pilate to condemn an innocent man to death, but they can't enter his house because they have to stay pure for dinner. They don't even realize that they are condemning the one that created Passover in order to observe Passover. But since they won't go in, pilate comes out to them Verse 29. So Pilate, the governor, went out to them and asked what is your charge against this man? We wouldn't have handed him over to you if he weren't a criminal. They retorted Well then, take him away and judge him by your own law. Pilate told them Only Romans are permitted to execute someone. The Jewish leaders replied this fulfilled Jesus's prediction about the way he would die.
Speaker 1:Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. Are you the king of the Jews, he asked him. Jesus replied why, what have you done? Okay, that's a loaded question. Pilate has no idea all the things that Jesus has done. I mean, imagine if Jesus had replied well, I created the world, I have leveled cities, I have saved guys in a fiery furnace, I have split seas, I've fed thousands, healed the blind and the lame, I've cast out demons and taught on hillsides. Pilate would have been speechless.
Speaker 1:But Pilate is actually looking for the crime that Jesus was to have committed. But Jesus actually speaks to Pilate about an earlier question Are you the king of the Jews? Jesus answers in verse 36. My kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my kingdom is not of this world. Pilate said so you are a king. Jesus responded you say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true. What is truth? Pilate asked Another loaded question.
Speaker 1:Pilate sees truth as something that's decided by power or by a sword, sees truth as something that's decided by power or by a sword. Power over weakness, my truth against your truth. I mean Pilate, as the ruler in this area, can actually set his truth as law if he wants to. Interestingly, the question about truth is still being asked today. Truth is still being asked today. We hear things like my truth or your truth, which is just a way to say. Truth can be personally decided, like it's a preference or a perspective, and it's usually found through experience or teaching. And I get it. My truth may be that book discussions are key to fully understanding and exploring ideas. Where your truth might be, I've never learned anything important from a book. Now, both of these can be true for each of us, but when it comes to faith and theology, when it comes to God, the whole personally decided element, well, that's a bit sketchy.
Speaker 1:Nt Wright, in his commentary on John, says this truth isn't something that you get out of a test tube or a mathematical formula. It's not in our pockets. It's a gift, a strange quality that like Jesus's kingdom, in fact. A strange quality that like Jesus' kingdom, in fact, it comes from elsewhere but is meant to take up residence in this world. Jesus came to give evidence about this truth. Jesus, the evidence of the truth of God's love, jesus, the evidence of what God is willing to do to save his people, that he loves. Truth is a gift, and I love NT Wright's words that it comes from elsewhere but lives in our world, and it's the evidence of God's truth. There are some things that are the truest truth and they come from outside us and they need to in order to stand outside of our experience, in our perspectives, in our assumptions, like the law of gravity or the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. These things are true outside of what we think.
Speaker 1:As we step back into John 18, at verse 38, we need a little clarity. It's going to say that Pilate went out again to the people. In looking at other gospels we can see that John combined two appearances of Jesus before Pilate into this one interaction. In his chapter he's left out the account of Jesus before King Herod that we read of in Luke 23. From Luke we learn that Pilate sent Jesus to Herod Antipas because Jesus was from Galilee. He seemed to hope that Herod would deal with this whole situation, but Herod instead just mocks Jesus and sends him back to Pilate Verse 38,.
Speaker 1:Then Pilate went out again to the people and told him he is not guilty of any crime. But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this king of the Jews? But they shouted back no, not this man, we want Barabbas. Barabbas was a revolutionary. Now from Mark and other gospels we also know that Barabbas was accused of murder and theft and, of course, insurrection. But let's continue.
Speaker 1:Then it says Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head and they put a purple robe on him. Hail, king of the Jews. They mocked as they slapped him across the face. It kind of seems like Pilate hopes that by whipping Jesus he would satisfy the crowd and def diffuse this whole situation and they would stop asking for his life. I won't go into detail of what this kind of whip can do, but let's just say Jesus was heavily wounded, bleeding badly Verse 4 of chapter 19.
Speaker 1:Pilate went outside again and said to the people I'm going to bring him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find him not guilty. Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, and Pilate said look, here's the man. When they saw him, the leading priests and temple guards began shouting crucify him, crucify him. This on the side. This was not what Pilate was hoping they would say. So Pilate says this take him yourselves and crucify him. I find him not guilty. The Jewish leaders replied by our law he ought to die because he called himself the son of God. The religious leaders have to get Pilate to act because they need the power of Rome. And Pilate has stated I find him not guilty. In fact, he said this multiple times up to this point.
Speaker 1:But Pilate doesn't release Jesus, and he could have. I mean, pilate is in charge here. Even Herod has bowed to his authority. Yet Pilate knows he is tied to the Jewish council for keeping the peace In his political maneuvering. He knows that he has to deal very carefully with this moment. We also see, finally, the real reason why the leaders want Jesus gone. Reason why the leaders want Jesus gone he has called himself the son of God.
Speaker 1:Verse eight when Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever. He took Jesus back into the headquarters again and asked him where are you from? But Jesus gave no answer. Why don't you talk to me? Pilate demanded Don't you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you? Then Jesus said you would have no power over me at all, unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin. Then Pilate tried to release him, but the Jewish leaders shouted if you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar. These harsh words make Pilate pause. If Pilate is even rumored to not have full allegiance with Rome, things could go very badly.
Speaker 1:The leaders are really pushing into some sore spots now. They know that they're getting close to getting Pilate to concede Verse 13. When they said this, pilate brought Jesus out to them again. Then Pilate sat down on the judgment seat on the platform that is called the stone pavement In Hebrew, gavatha. We're going to skip over to Matthew 27, 19 for a minute, because it tells us something else. It says it's been a long day and it's only noon. It's been maybe five to six hours that have passed since Jesus was first brought to him, and Pilate is over it, verse 14.
Speaker 1:It was now about noon on the day of preparation for Passover and Pilate said to the people Look here's your king. Away with him. They yelled Away with him, crucify him. What? Crucify your king? Pilate asked we have no king but Caesar. The leading priest shouted back. Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified no king but Caesar.
Speaker 1:The religious leaders have really crossed a line. I mean, incredibly. They deny their messianic hope and pledge allegiance to their Roman oppressor. I mean, basically, the Jewish leaders have sold their birthright for a pot of stew. Oh, this is a lot. So what do we even apply from this for our own lives? I mean, one application, if we look at Pilate, is to ask do I want acceptance more than I want to stand on conviction and truth? When faced with opposition to our faith, the truth of jesus, do we cave and not speak up because we fear rejection and we want acceptance? Do you want that more than standing on what we know to be true? I'm not talking about opinions or assumptions like a political stance. I'm thinking of truth, like every person is made in the image of God and therefore has value. Hmm, although that is something to ponder.
Speaker 1:As we look at Jesus here, I think we need to see something Jesus was completely and totally in charge of his story and this entire situation. This wasn't an accident. It wasn't evil winning. It was Jesus orchestrating an event that had to happen so that he could do the job his father had given him to do save us. He stood up to the religious leaders at the temple, he stepped out to meet the soldiers in the garden, he spoke clearly before the high priest and even got him slapped, and he asked questions of Pilate, while also choosing not to speak when he could have. He's in full control here. This exchange is a necessary component to lead up to what Jesus knew needed to happen in order for him to fulfill his life sentence.
Speaker 1:Since Isaiah the prophecy was known, it says this. Yet it was our weakness he carried, it was our sorrows that weighed him down, and we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins. But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so that we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. As a sheep is silent before the shearers. He did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. Isaiah 53, 4-8.
Speaker 1:Oh, dear one, we see the greatest legal system of the ancient world and the noblest religion coming together in Jerusalem, and they both don't realize that they're just a part of God's plan. They both think they have their own great power when the God of all creation is actually in charge In this moment. From John 18 and 19,. Some followers fail and the religious leaders are completely misguided. But Jesus stood in full control, offering himself as a sacrificial lamb in order that we would know forgiveness and eternal life.
Speaker 1:From the garden to Isaac, to Joseph and Daniel, god was setting his ultimate plan in motion. He sent prophets hundreds of years ahead to make sure that those who were looking would see. He sent John the baptizer to prepare the way. He called Mary and Joseph to play their part, and then the God of the universe taking human form, limiting his omniscience and his omnipresence. He did this in order to submit to this moment. Yes, it was completely unjust by human standards. It was punishment for sins he didn't even commit, but he did it because of his love for you and me. It was the plan from the beginning. The religious leaders wouldn't see it. Pilate didn't come close to understanding, but Jesus knew and because of him we who follow Jesus live. Praise be to God, amen.