Living in the Spirit

November 20, 2021

Scripture Reading:

John 18:33-37

Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ 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.’

Politics and faith are strange bedfellows. Pilate’s only concern regarded any threat Jesus might have on Pilate’s power. If the Jews stayed in their place, contributed to the Roman economy, and did not make waves, Pilate did not care what they believed. The Jews were able to enforce their religious laws up to the point of execution. Rome reserved the right to render final punishment. Thus, the Sanhedrin brought Jesus before Pilate, who weighed his options based on what was in it for him. So goes governance today.

Our society seems to have moved closer to “what is in it for me or mine” values rather than what is just. Libraries of books have been written discussing varying ideas about why Jesus was crucified. I, however, have not seen many delving into how his crucifixion focuses a bright light on justice or the lack of justice being one of the major impediments to the wellbeing of all. I am a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) who strives to be a wholeness movement in a fragmented world*.  We are better at it at some times than other times, but the calling stands. I think this idea recognizes that being followers of Christ means taking responsibility for how our world functions. I fear we long for a god with a magic wand who will solve all our problems and the world’s problems by a simple wave of that wand. From the beginning of time, God gave us the choice of wholeness or fragmentation, righteousness or self-righteousness with the expectation that our doing justice leads to wholeness.

The Disciples, in shock, no doubt, stumbled around for several weeks after the resurrection until, as Acts 1 describes, they realized the needed to get their act together. Thus, they held a board meeting, elected a replacement for Judas, and said, “OK God, what do we do next.” Immediately, Acts 2 described the arrival of the Holy Spirit. I envision Jesus saying, “It is about time. Let’s go.” With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, those twelve people, along with many converts, change the world. We are called to follow their example.

Prayer: Lord, enable us to do justice as your followers. Amen.

*https://disciples.org/our-identity/our-mission-vision-and-confession/

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.