First of all, I want to thank all who
post ideas and questions to our Narrative Lectionary group on FB—you help us to
think and move forward.
Last week, I—and, it seems, many
others—struggled with what and how to preach the passage we dealt with. Again
this week, the passage seems dryly narrative (whoever thought I’d complain
about ‘narrative’?!), and I’ve had to dig a bit to get to the message. But,
again, God is faithful....
Summary—
As one commentator points out, this
is obviously a seamless continuation of the previous passage, divided only by
13th Century editors who introduced the system of chapters and
verses. So, we may want to read the entire narrative (John 18:19-John 19:16a)
to keep things in context:
v.1-3: The Romans flog and mock Jesus
v.4-7: Pilate argues again with the
Jewish leaders. The Jewish antagonists change their charge from political (“he
claims to be a king” 18:34) to religious (claims to be ‘Son of God’ 19:7).
v.8-11: Pilate and Jesus resume their
conversation, and the issue of power surfaces.
v.12-16: Pilate again argues with the
Jewish leaders. They return to political arguments (v.12). Finally, seemingly
reluctantly, Pilate hands Jesus over for crucifixion.
Thoughts and Observations—
I. Pilate
Pilate is an important enough figure
to be included in our creedal confessions:
“...Suffered
under Pontius Pilate....”
It’s no wonder the Church has had
this love/hate relationship with this man. Some in our Lectionary group have
bemoaned the leniency that some have shown Pilate; others reject the vilification
of the man. Above, even I have read a bit of reluctant leniency into the story—but,
I’m not sure if the reluctance on Pilate’s part comes out of his sense of
justice or out of being dragged into local issues he rather not have a part in
(I lean towards his sense of justice, but my wife will tell you that I’m a
hopeless romantic, too trusting of others and always wanting to presume the
best....)
II. Power
For the preaching of this passage,
verses 10-11a hold the key. First, whenever Jesus speaks, I tend to focus there—Jesus
is always central for me, and if Jesus says something, I better dig there if I
hope to find gold.
“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I
have power either to free you or to crucify you?”
Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not
given to you from above."
Power. Here’s how Merriam-Webster defines
the term:
1) ability to act or produce an
effect...2) possession of control, authority, or influence over others...3) physical
might...political control or influence.
Where does power come from? Jesus
reminds us that power comes “from above.” We see the gift of power entrusted to
humankind in Genesis 1:28 –
God blessed [the male and female] and said to them, “Be fruitful
and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the
sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the
ground.”
There is it—right in the middle of
the verse: Rule. The Creator gives
humanity power over this world. And, with the gift of freewill, we get to
choose how to use that power. Pilate claims his ‘power’ here in our passage
this wee...and even recognizes that he can use his power how he wishes: “Don’t you realize I have power either to
free you or to crucify you?”
My daughter has a coffee mug that I
notice every time I visit her apartment, a mug inscribed with, “I’m and ER
Nurse—what’s your superpower?” I chuckle each time but only because my daughter
really is a force, a power, to be reckoned with. However, I’m also reminded when
I see that mug that we all have power—we can all produce an effect, have some
control or influence over someone...and we may even possess physical might.
As parents, spouses, children, grandparents,
aunts and uncles, members of the community, neighbors, employees, employers,
managers, workers, voters, cooks, maids, school administrators, teachers,
students, police officers, soldiers, politicians, pastors—every one of us has a place of
power with respect to others. How do we choose to use that power?
As we come to the end of Jesus’
earthly ministry and as we live through this time of Lent, I cannot help but
think of the beginning of his ministry—his baptism and journey through the
wilderness/desert. At the end of those 40 days, Jesus was confronted with both
the devil’s power and his own power. The devil revealed (or claimed) his power
to hand over the worldly kingdoms to Jesus. The devil also recognized Jesus’
power to turn stones to bread, to escape death and make a big scene...and his
power to set up the devil as a god (one to be worshiped.) But, as we have
preached and taught many times, Jesus did NOT use his power to serve himself.
Rather, as we follow Jesus through his ministry, he uses his power to heal the
sick, give sight to the blind...he uses the power of story (parable) to reveal
the kingdom. He uses his social power to welcome the outcasts (Zacchaeus), to
forgive the broken. And, here before Pilate, his choice is to not use his power
to effect a different outcome—he ‘uses’ his power to follow the course set for
him.
What is your superpower? Where do you
have power in your life...over whom? And, how are you using your power?
“Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify
you?”
Do you realize we all have that
power? We can free others or crucify them. We have the power to bully and abuse
(no, bullies don’t exist only in the school yard); to abuse and maim—physically
or emotionally; to rob others of their self-esteem, self-worth and integrity;
to crucify/kill people’s hopes, plans and dreams. And, we have the power to protect and serve; to heal; to build others up, to strengthen their self-esteem; to feed others' hopes and dreams.
God has given you power. How will you
use your power? Will we bow to the pressures of the world or give in to the
desires of self? Or, will we use our God-given power to bring life and hope and
joy to the world around us. Will we use our power to effect good in the lives
of others? Will we use our influence, wealth, voices and strength to only
better our own position in life, or will we—like Jesus—use our power to bring
life to others?
So, this is where I think I’ll be
going this week. I know there are many examples in the news about the abuse of
power. Perhaps you’re in a setting where you can use those newsbits with glee
(you have that power). Perhaps, like me, keeping an open relationship with your
congregation ‘trumps’ the temptation to bring too much political stuff to the
pulpit. In any case, wishing all of you the very best as we proclaim the Good
News of Jesus Christ this week.
Amen.
(Go HERE to read my intro to this
series.)
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