This is a long one... An affirmation of something Bono says is not a wholesale endorsement of Bono or of his band, U2. Believe it or not, there are things that the Pope says that I agree with. Why? Simple: because theyre true. The affirmation of the truthfulness of someones words or of certain of their actions or ideas, does not constitute a carte blanche support or sanction of everything about that person or institution. Truth is truth, no matter who says it. And error is error, no matter who says it. Jesus repeatedly affirmed the truthfulness of what people said, even when they were themselves out of harmony with Gods revealed will. For example, He affirmed the embryo of truth contained in Pontius Pilates question, Are you the King of the Jews? when He said, It is as you say (Mark 15:2). This was hardly an endorsement of Pilate or of his office or even of his actions at that moment, but it was a recognition of the embryonic and amazing truth contained in Pilates own words. Jesus, after all, was not only the King of the Jews, He was the heir of the world itself, The King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16). The dialogue in John 18 is more revealing still. See verses 33-38. In verse 37 Pilate seems to be almost sensing the conviction of the Spirit and of the moment when he says to Jesus: Are you a king then? And what is Jesus response to Pilate? You say rightly that I am a king. Do you see it? Jesus plainly affirms the truth contained in Pilates words, though Pilate himself scarcely grasped the enormity of the situation. But it gets even more amazing! Jesus continues: For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice. Jesus here gives Pilate the chance to turn that interrogative into a declarative: You are a King then! Jesus loved and cared for Pilate too, and here He reaches out to him with His penetrating words. Pilate, Jesus is saying, surely you see this situation for what it is: a false accusation made by a jealous and riotous religious mob. I know you see it. And can you see Me for who I am? You sit in the seat of judgement and presumed discernment, do you discern who I am? Pilate, sadly, does not confess Jesus as his Lord and Savior, but he does do something significant (almost certainly to placate his own conscience; especially after the urgent letter of a dream from his wife), he pronounces him not guilty! I find no fault in Him at all (v 38). Pilates words, again, were absolutely true! Jesus was innocent of the charges against Him. Fascinatingly, in the next chapter, Pilate announces Jesus as the Jews king: Behold your King! (19:14) In verse 15 he asks, Shall I crucify your King? These words were all also true. Jesus was the true King of the Jews. Pilate, clearly conflicted by the whole series of events and, no doubt, astonished by the gravitas, dignity, and demeanor of the Man before him, insists that a sign be erected above the victim. This sign contained the truth: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. The Jews loudly protested at the placard and wanted it modified. Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, Do not write, “The King of the Jews, but, He said, I am the King of the Jews. Pilate, though, was unmoved by their proposed amendment and said matter-of-factly, What I have written, I have written (v 22). As I read the Gospel narratives, it is clear to me that Pilate, to some degree, understood the situation and tried repeatedly to extract Jesus, a man he considered and announced as innocent, out of it. Alas, he was a politician. But none of that changes the fact that his words about Jesus kingship and identity were true. And Jesus affirmed Pilates affirmation of truth. Many other Scriptural examples could be cited. Recall when Jesus affirmed the correctness of the answer given by a lawyer who came to test and trick him. Jesus said to him, You have answered rightly (Luke 10:28). Recall, too, when Jesus categorically affirmed the Roman centurions faith with these words: Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel (Matthew 8:10). This affirmation was not an endorsement of everything about the man, and certainly not of his occupation as a Roman warrior. And yet, Jesus affirms and compliments the mans words, humility, and faith. Not only that, He heals his servant! Scandalous! But Jesus isnt done. He uses this opportunity to take a much needed shot at the self-righteous religious climate and culture of the day: And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (vss 11, 12). When Jesus spoke of those from east and west he was speaking on non-Jews, of gentiles. And when He spoke of the sons of the kingdom he was speaking especially of those Jews who thought that their Jewishness would recommend them to God and make them shoe-ins for the coming Kingdom. But Jesus turns the whole religious climate, culture, and thinking on its head. I mean, just think of the absolute craziness and seeming absurdity of this scene. Jesus just affirmed, in the strongest possible language, a gentile soldier, and then rebuked, also in the strongest possible language (weeping and gnashing of teeth!), the prevailing Jewish thinking and culture of his day. BOOM! Jesus often did this kind of thing. But too often and too easily we read these stories and assume were on the right side of history, especially those of us that are religious! Or Christian. Or, gulp!, even Adventist. We too easily project ourselves into the story on the right side of things, but might we be in a similar situation and danger? We should be very careful and cautious here. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’ Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets (Matthew 23:29-31). Read those verses again. And again, just for good measure. Too many of us are followers of men and of speakers and of preachers. But, surely, this is dangerous. Because even preachers and pastors and presidents can say foolish and untrue things. Well, guess what? Fools can also say true things. So can Roman governors. And so can Roman centurions. And so can self-serving lawyers. And so can rockstars. And so can you. Be on the side of truth, wherever its found. -------------------------------------------------- I am the truth. --Jesus Christ Agree with the people on every point where you can consistently do so. Let them see that you love their souls, and want to be in harmony with them so far as possible. --Ellen White
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 03:50:44 +0000
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