Sunday November 25th, 2018 Reign of Christ Sunday John 18:33-37
Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." (verse 37)
This dialogue concludes with the enigmatic words of Pilate: “What is truth?” (John 18:38), for me one of the most dramatic interchanges in the trial of Jesus. Pilate seems intrigued and even in awe of this man Jesus, while at the same time afraid of the power of the crowds, or rather the relentless mob that it has become. Perhaps his question is that of someone disillusioned by the reality of political intrigue, very far from the “purity of heart” expounded not so very long ago by this very same Jesus, who now stands before him, at the same time powerless and so very powerful. “O Christ, what can it mean for us to claim you as our king?”*
*Evangelical Lutheran Worship, #431
God of justice, we pray that when confronted and conflicted, we may find the courage to exercise with integrity and wisdom the power you have given us. Amen. — PG
Contributed by A Different Kind of King
This dialogue concludes with the enigmatic words of Pilate: "What is truth?" (John 18:38), for me one of the most dramatic interchanges in the trial of Jesus. Pilate seems intrigued and even in awe of this man Jesus, while at the same time afraid of the power of the crowds, or rather the relentless mob that it has become. Perhaps his question is that of someone disillusioned by the reality of political intrigue, very far from the "purity of heart" expounded not so very long ago by this very same Jesus, who now stands before him, at the same time powerless and so very powerful. "O Christ, what can it mean for us to claim you as our king?"*
*Evangelical Lutheran Worship, #431
