“Jesus bids and a man to come and die.”
Bonhoeffer on Discipleship
Jesus experienced a trial before the Sanhedrin (the council) that is not recorded in the Gospel of John, Mark’s gospel summarizes it, “And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate.” (Mark 15:1, see Matthew 26:57-68 for more detail) However, the trial of Jesus before Pilate receives extensive treatment in the Fourth Gospel. The reader is blessed to see two worlds and two kingdoms collide. Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. It is different in every way from the world’s kingdom. They have different power structures. In one, there is a call to serve. In the other, the expectation of lording it over people. They have different fundamental priorities, spiritual versus material. They have different ends, the glorification of God versus the glorification of self. They have very different outcomes, eternal life versus eternal death.
A portion of their encounter involves Pilate asking Jesus the following question, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” (John 18:33-34) Pilate asked the question and we have no idea what exactly was on his mind. Standing before him was a man who had no kingly appearance. (see Isaiah 53:2) He was hated and rejected by the Jewish religious leaders. (see Isaiah 53:3) He was a man already in pain due to the treatment he had just received. (see Isaiah 53:4) And though this was the condition of Jesus, he had the welfare of Pilate on his mind, when he asked, “Do you say this of your own accord?” Was Pilate willing to surrender himself to the rightful king? Would he bend the knee before this Jewish carpenter who was truly the Prince of Peace? Would Pilate stop listening to the Jewish leaders and start listening to the Wonderful Counselor?
The question that Jesus posed to Pilate, he poses to individuals today. “Do you say this [that I am the King] of your own accord?” Pilate and those who seek power are not interested in one who looks powerless. The Jewish religious leaders were more interested in maintaining their religious rituals and their external appearances than to have Jesus address their internal problems and to truly cleanse them from their sin. But the reason Jesus went to the cross was to save his people from their sins, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.” (John 12:32-33)
Will you go to him? Is he drawing you today? The “all people” is not an all without exception. It’s an all without distinction. He does not exclude. Whatever you might have done, whatever sins you have committed, he invites you to come to him for forgiveness and salvation. Have a blessed week and we will see many of you on Sunday.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dale
