Reading: John 19-21, Psalm 111
What is truth?
The question posed by Pilate is put to a practical test in today’s reading. John gives us a picture of the crucifixion of Jesus that shows the powers that be, those of the High Priest and those of the Emperor of Rome, play off one another, with the result that Jesus goes exactly where he desires to go. We have already heard Jesus foretell his death and resurrection, and for that to occur these players must take their roles and play their parts. The series of questions that Pilate asks Jesus reveal his belief about what truth is: truth is what I decide. Don’t you realize I have the power to release you or to crucify you? Jesus responds with the real situation: You have no power that was not given to you from above. The truth comes from God, and God alone.
John gives us some interesting details to the event of the crucifixion when it comes to Pilate’s political maneuvering. He hears that Jesus claims to be a king, and the High Priest’s party accuses him of being no “Friend of Caesar” if he does not oppose him. “Friend of Caesar” was a title, not just a description, but it amounts to what one would expect: the support and positive inclination of the Emperor to the one who is his “Friend.” For Pilate to lose this title would be ruinous to his career and possibly his life. As the same time, Pilate had dealt with a number of revolts in Judea, and he needed to prevent a mass action by Jesus’ supporters, or he was in equal danger. Pilate decides to pull the situation out in such a way that the crowds of people in Jerusalem call for Jesus’ execution. That way the High Priest’s party get what they want and have no complaint to Rome, which Pilate can claim innocence in the death of Jesus, since the people demanded it of him. A nice piece of political strategy. This is not the only reading of Pilate’s actions, but it is the one I see. Pilate attempting to define truth in answer to his own question.
Events prove a different point. Jesus does exactly what he says he will do and is held up on a Roman cross. He final words have echoed through human history right up to the present day : It is finished. It is worth noting that the way John writes this indicates more than mere completion, but a summation of everything that has gone before, the completion of which results in a new state of affairs. It is not Jesus saying, “I’m done here” or even “the work is complete.” It is a much more elastic way of saying finished. It could be said it is all finished. Or everything is completely accomplished. Or the purpose is wholly achieved. Of course all these are contained in the words It is finished, but it is a easy for us to pass over these simple words and forget the extent to which this applies. The death of Jesus began an unraveling of Pilate’s version of truth. Not because he died. There is a great deal to be said about how the death of Jesus was an unworking of the human problem, but most of that comes in the letters of Paul and the author of the letter to the Hebrews. In John the story is the resurrection.
Pilate’s take on truth is that he creates it by his actions. Jesus will die, his position will be assured. The High Priest’s party also believes they have defined truth. Jesus will die, their positions will be assured. The resurrection turns all that inside out. Jesus claim that you have no authority except what has been given plays out in the most dramatic possible way: the last argument of kings and rulers fails. Death is the last recourse of those who claim to have authority. But death fails to keep hold of Jesus. The lie of the serpent way back in Genesis 3 is laid bare. It is not claiming the knowledge of good and bad and living by our own rules that makes us like God. That results in division, destruction, and death. It is Jesus, who wholly submits to the authority of God and calls on him for all his wisdom, who is like God. The truth is the inverse of the intention of Pilate and the High Priest’s party. The truth is that death has no hold on the Creator God and those who are wholly obedient to him. The first appearance of Jesus, to Mary outside the garden tomb, calls us back to Eden and the mission of humanity. Mary thinks Jesus is the gardener. I’m not entirely sure she was wrong. The risen Jesus is adam, the human as he should have been. That is the truth.
It is not, however, the only truth. Jesus continues to appear to his disciples and followers. There are several stories here, but one stands out from all the others. Jesus meets his disciples on the shore of the sea of Galilee, and a fascinating conversation occurs. Peter, who denied he knew Jesus during his trial, is offered restoration. This is another inversion of what the truth is. Peter is apostate. He denied his lord and master. He said he would never fall away, but he did. Surely this was disqualifying for Jesus’ great mission. Jesus has a different truth. Peter is to be the shepherd of his sheep.
John closes his book with a reminder that he has written only a selection of the events which he witnessed. What he has written had a purpose. These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, and that believing you may have life in his name. At the same time, he admits there is more. So much more. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books. John leaves us with a challenge to believe the Truth that will set us free. To accept that Jesus is the Authority, and that there is life over which death has no hold in him. Then he tells us that there is more. So much more to go and learn.