Lent Guide 7

Scripture: John 18:33–19:6 (ESV)

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “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?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jewish leaders. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a [insurrectionist].

Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.”

Reflection: 
Today we consider the differences between worldly kingdoms and Christ’s spiritual kingdom, and reflect on what it means for us to be his servants.

The passage above is an excerpt from St. John’s eyewitness account of Jesus’ trial before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. While Jesus preaches a spiritual kingdom, everyone else in this story thinks only in terms of worldly ones:

• The Jewish leaders and chief priests knew God was a spiritual being, but they thought his kingdom was a temporal political dominion. They had established a prosperous place for themselves within it which they desperately wanted to keep.
• Those in the crowd also thought of God’s kingdom in worldly political terms; they wanted a Messiah in the mold of King David, who could throw off Roman rule and establish an independent state.
• Pilate didn’t believe in God, but he very much believed in worldly kingdoms ruled by worldly power. He knew his place in the world depended on his ability to keep a lid on any political instability.

Earlier that week on Palm Sunday when Jesus arrived in town for Passover, he’d been hailed as the Messiah by the crowds shouting, “Hosanna! [meaning, Our Savior!] Blessed is the King of Israel!” The Jewish leaders used this as pretext for charging him with sedition and claimed he was challenging the Roman rule of Judea. They were playing politics and Pilate knew it.

In his trial, as he had throughout his ministry, Jesus speaks of an altogether different kind of kingdom. Pilate didn’t seem to know quite what to make of it, but he was convinced Jesus wasn’t guilty of trying to start an insurrection. Pilate holds out for a while, but in the end, he caved and crucified Jesus. For Pilate personally, the tragedy of his encounter with Jesus is that he let his political cowardice ultimately override his sense of justice. He came so close to the Kingdom of God, and yet he missed it entirely.

Ecce Homo (1871) – Antonio Ciseri  

Antonio Ciseri’s depiction of Christ’s trial before Pilate presents viewers with a unique perspective, placing the viewer behind Pilate as he tries to convince the crowd of Christ’s innocence. To worldly eyes, it looks like Jesus has lost. He is bound as a criminal about to be crucified. Soldiers have mockingly dressed him as a king. The crowd is against him. Overhead, on the parapet, the Jewish leaders are egging them on. Exasperated, Pilate, after coming so close, is about to give up and wash his hands of the whole affair. That’s life in the kingdoms of this world. As St. John would later write, “They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” (Rev. 17:14)

With the eyes of faith, we don’t see imminent defeat, but instead the coronation of the True King.

As we prepare to worship Jesus as our crucified and risen king this Holy Week and look inside our hearts, can we honestly say with Jesus that we, his followers, have turned our backs on the false idols of politics and worldly power? Are we close to the Kingdom of God, but missing it because we still operate as though we’re servants of a worldly kingdom? Do we listen to the voice of Jesus rather than the crowds?

Contemplation & Prayer:
Find a quiet place. Sit. Close your eyes and listen for Jesus to speak to you. It’s okay if it feels strange at first or takes a while.

• What worldly ways is he telling you to let go of this week?
• Where is he calling you to bear witness to the truth?

Pray:
King Jesus, reign in my heart today and every day. Rescue me from my false reliance on the ways of the world and teach me the ways of heaven. Thank you for giving your life as a ransom for mine and for claiming me as a citizen of your kingdom. By the power of the Holy Spirit whom you have sent indwelling me, grant that I might be to others a witness to the truth and a messenger of your peace.

Amen.

Action & Invitation:
Today or throughout this week…

• Come and Pray at our Easter Prayer Vigil. It is a chance to set aside one hour—alone or with friends—for quiet reflection and prayer. From Monday through Easter morning, the chapel and nearby rooms will be open with scripture, prayer prompts, and a peaceful space to connect with the God who loves you. Sign up here for a prayer hour.
• Worship with us this week for special Maundy Thursday and Good Friday evening services as we prepare our hearts for Easter. Both are at 7 pm in the Sanctuary and feature special music performed by the Highland Park Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir & Orchestra.
• Listen to composer Margaret Bonds’ “I Believe in the Prince of Peace, Credo No. 5” performed by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and selected by Director of Music Greg Hobbs as a musical companion for this week’s devotional text. Watch here.

Additional resources for going deeper…

• Article: Christ our Passover from Ligonier Ministries