Power & Authority
There is that, but then there is God.
Luke 23:1-7 | Gospels during Lent: Matthew 17-18
Tomorrow (Palm Sunday) begins Holy Week. For many who’ve done it so many times, the journey of walking from Jesus’ triumphal entry to the empty tomb can feel rutted. Pray this week that the stories of Jesus’ commitment to see through on the will of God will speak to you, shape you, and move you in fresh ways.
Today’s passage brings Jesus to Pilate. In what might seem like a twist of assumptions, it is Pilate - the governmental authority - trying to argue for Jesus’ life. We know he will eventually give up. But what might it say to us today that it was Rome’s representative trying to quell the murderous intentions of religious leaders?
There is so much to think upon in the swirling waters of power and authority. Pilate has the national authority. No human effort could go against him. The religious leaders - priests, teachers of the law - have the religious authority (limited, but authority none the less). But Jesus has the righteousness of God.
We have to ask ourselves what the right thing is as this plays out. And while we know the rest of the story - God “wins” - we need to wrestle with whether winning is the point. We must look at how power and authority actually plays out.
It’s crucial.
Luke 23:1-7
The whole assembly got up and led Jesus to Pilate and began to accuse him. They said, “We have found this man misleading our people, opposing the payment of taxes to Caesar, and claiming that he is the Christ, a king.”
Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus replied, “That’s what you say.”
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no legal basis for action against this man.”
But they objected strenuously, saying, “He agitates the people with his teaching throughout Judea—starting from Galilee all the way here.”
Hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was from Herod’s district, Pilate sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
Prayer
God,
Thank you for this day. For breath, for life, for food, for shelter, for connection, for understanding. For the moment, I’m just resting in your goodness. I’m grateful for the steady comfort of these things, including the on-going gifts of your creation.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.