You Say That I Am

Jesus before the powers who cannot see the truth they speak.

We don’t often pause in these passages to really break down what’s going on and what is being said. The passion narratives are most often relegated to the last week of Holy Week. But there’s a lot going on here.

Jesus is shuttled between various groups and individuals with various levels of authority - the Jewish religious leadership council, a Jewish ruler (Herod Antipas, a tetrarch under Rome’s authority), and Rome’s representative himself - Pilate. As much as we want to blame the heads of the system (Pilate & Herod), they really didn’t care much about what was to happen to Jesus. Pilate wanted to avoid a show; Herod wanted one. Either way, it wasn’t about Jesus as much as it was their desires. Of course in the end, neither one defended or saved Jesus’ life.

But it really seems to be the crowds who determine Jesus’ path. This is interesting in that the powers of the world seem to be making the decisions, but the crowd’s fear and fervor reveal how easily public opinion can be manipulated toward violence. The system bends to the will of the masses, not to justice, showing how collective fear can overpower truth and conviction.

My, how far we haven’t come.

Then there’s this other thing going on. When questioned by various people of authority, Jesus answers a question as to his role and title with a deeply profound answer - You say that I am. He actually does this in all four gospels and multiple times in Luke.

When Jesus responds in this way, he isn’t dodging the question so much as refusing to play by the categories of his questioners. It’s both an affirmation and a rebuke. He’s saying, in effect, “Those are your words, not mine…but you’re not entirely wrong.” Genius! Yet again. He saying that they’ve spoken more truth than they understand. To the religious leaders, he’s not the kind of Messiah they expect; to Pilate, not the kind of king Rome fears. Jesus doesn’t deny his identity, but he just won’t let them define it. Jesus doesn’t need titles. He’s not interested in them. So in the fewest words possible, he remains in control, exposing blindness while quietly revealing the truth they cannot see.

Jesus’ interests really don’t seem to be in these religious or governmental authorities. He isn’t trying to reform their systems or win their favor. His attention isn’t on influence or position, but on people - on truth, mercy, and fidelity. He’s revealing a kingdom that operates by an entirely different schematic. To be sure, he cares deeply about what happens to people, but his work doesn’t flow through the powers-that-be; it unveils another kind of power altogether. It reveals the power that transforms hearts, not hierarchies, and exposes the emptiness of every other kingdom.

Luke 22:63-23:25

The men who were holding Jesus in custody taunted him while they beat him. They blindfolded him and asked him repeatedly, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” Insulting him, they said many other horrible things against him.

As morning came, the elders of the people, both chief priests and legal experts, came together, and Jesus was brought before their council.

They said, “If you are the Christ, tell us!”

He answered, “If I tell you, you won’t believe. And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer. But from now on, the Human One will be seated on the right side of the power of God.”

They all said, “Are you God’s Son, then?”

He replied, “You say that I am.”

Then they said, “Why do we need further testimony? We’ve heard it from his own lips.”

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. Herod was very glad to see Jesus, for he had heard about Jesus and had wanted to see him for quite some time. He was hoping to see Jesus perform some sign. Herod questioned Jesus at length, but Jesus didn’t respond to him. The chief priests and the legal experts were there, fiercely accusing Jesus. Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt. Herod mocked him by dressing Jesus in elegant clothes and sent him back to Pilate. Pilate and Herod became friends with each other that day. Before this, they had been enemies.

Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people. He said to them, “You brought this man before me as one who was misleading the people. I have questioned him in your presence and found nothing in this man’s conduct that provides a legal basis for the charges you have brought against him. Neither did Herod, because Herod returned him to us. He’s done nothing that deserves death. Therefore, I’ll have him whipped, then let him go.”

But with one voice they shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us.” (Barabbas had been thrown into prison because of a riot that had occurred in the city, and for murder.)

Pilate addressed them again because he wanted to release Jesus.

They kept shouting out, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

For the third time, Pilate said to them, “Why? What wrong has he done? I’ve found no legal basis for the death penalty in his case. Therefore, I will have him whipped, then let him go.”

But they were adamant, shouting their demand that Jesus be crucified. Their voices won out. Pilate issued his decision to grant their request. He released the one they asked for, who had been thrown into prison because of a riot and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.

Psalm 2:1-6

Why do the nations rant?
Why do the peoples rave uselessly?
The earth’s rulers take their stand;
the leaders scheme together
against the Lord and
against his anointed one.
“Come!” they say.
“We will tear off their ropes
and throw off their chains!”
The one who rules in heaven laughs;
my Lord makes fun of them.
But then God speaks to them angrily;
then he terrifies them with his fury:
“I hereby appoint my king on Zion,
my holy mountain!”

Prayer (adapted from the Collect for Peace)¹

God,

You are the author of peace and lover of concord. To know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom. Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies, that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

1. Source: https://saint-aelfric-customary.org/2020/10/15/the-collect-for-peace-at-morning-prayer/