The Man Who Was the King

"And Pilate asked him, 'You are the King of the Jews?' And (Jesus) answered him, 'You have said so'” (Luke 23:3).

Pilate's reaction to Jesus is repeated in all four gospels and identically worded. It must be an important consideration. 

Jesus' answer suggests reluctant assent: "Well, yes I am a king, but I wouldn't put it quite like that." His understanding differed from Pilate's for Jesus' kingdom was not of this world, but indeed, he was Israel's long-awaited king.

Pilate had not met Jesus as far as we know, but since the Jews described him as an insurrectionist and a pretender to the throne he must have thought that Jesus would be a Rambo-like figure, an irrepressible firebrand. (Think: Robespierre, Trotsky, Che Guevara, or Mao Zedong.) 

But one glance at Jesus dispelled that notion: Here before him stood a man in utter weakness. Bruised and bloodied from beatings and abuse, draped in a ridiculous colored cloak that made him look like a clown. 

That's what forced Pilate's incredulous question: "You? You are the King of the Jews? You gotta be kidding." (All four Gospels place emphasis on the pronoun "you.")

Here’s what I see: The Kingdom of God did not come then, nor does it continue now by power politics and human prowess, but in weakness and foolishness.

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For…God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God has chosen what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are" (1 Corinthians 1:25-28).

Weakness through illness, aging, or any other cause, is not a curse; it is a blessing. For in the words of Paul’s paradox: It is when we are weak that we are strong (2 Corinthians 12:11).

David Roper

3.6.19