The exchange between Pontius Pilate and Jesus in John 18:28-38 illustrates another of the big questions of life. The passage tells us that after Jesus had been arrested, Caiaphas and the Jewish council sent Him to Pilate. The council did so because they wanted Jesus put to death, but under Roman law they had no authority to enact the punishment. Pilate had several questions for Jesus. First Pilate asked whether Jesus was King of the Jews. Jesus responded by asking Pilate if the idea that Jesus was King of the Jews was the latter’s own idea, or if someone had told him that. Pilate, apparently seeking the truth so that justice could be served, wanted to know what Jesus had done, because it was the Jews who had handed Jesus over to the Roman authorities. Jesus indicated that His kingdom was not of this world. Pilate exclaimed, “You are a King, then!”
Jesus reply is astonishing, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
“What is truth?” Pilate asked.
Interesting question, isn’t it? Is Jesus, having established that his kingdom is not of this world, stating that he holds dominion over an idea, which is truth? Pilate does not give Jesus a chance to answer. I doubt Pilate expected one because for him the question is rhetorical. For Pilate, there is no truth. Everything is subjective, and justifiable from a point of view. Pilate is pragmatic; he does what works. In this case he needed to placate the Jewish leaders and avoid riots.
The Bible doesn’t shy away from presenting two philosophies that compete with each other. On the one hand, Jesus proclaims that there is objective truth, that the truth is knowable by anyone, and that he can lead you to it. But he makes claims that are difficult to accept, as are claims made about him. Among them are He and the Father are one, if you believe in him you will have eternal life, and His virgin birth. On the other hand, those that live by the idea that there is no truth, or that it is not knowable, reject Jesus’ testimony because all humans have parents, and all life dies. Those that reject Jesus know these things to be objectively true and therefore his story is unbelievable. How would you resolve these apparent contradictions?
Welcome to The Red Cell!
If this is your first visit here, please take a moment to peruse the posts and comments. Try to see things from the vantage point of someone who does not know God.
The "Red Cell Thoughts" are not to be taken as a position of this blog- they are meant to stir thought. Please feel free to post other thoughts, questions, and possible answers. All posts are anonymous, but feel free to provide your name if you so desire. The Red Cell facilitators reserve the right to edit comments that are rude or offensive. Having said that, a little bit of offensiveness may be allowed- because if we offend no-one, then we might not be working hard enough! Remember, the Christian religion was founded on questioning the prevailing wisdom of the day and the Protestant Reformation continued that tradition. Don't be afraid to question all your assumptions.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
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