BARRIERS TO BELIEF
Pilate goes down in history as the man who washed his hands off Jesus’ fate. Despite being governor and having the authority to throw away the bogus claims brought by the Jews and free Jesus, he chose not to do so. While the conversation he had with Jesus during his trial appears to indicate that Pilate was judging Jesus, the reality is that Jesus was giving him an opportunity to overcome the barriers within him to come to believe in the timeless truth of God made real in Christ. The statements Jesus made to Pilate as found in John 18 need close examination.
“Is that your own idea, or did others talk to you about me?” (v34). This was Jesus’ response when Pilate asked him if he was the king of the Jews. Every person is born into a family, a culture, a religion and a nation, which influences the belief systems. We carry with us thoughts and ideas that have been implanted into us and these are barriers to belief. Jesus is challenging Pilate and each one of us to come out of those philosophies, because unless we become independent and start thinking for ourselves, the truth will always be elusive.
“My kingdom is not of this world” (v36). A recognition of the spiritual realm that coexists with the spiritual realm is the beginning of understanding the truth. This realm has a very different value system and operation compared to the physical realm we live in and operate in. As the dominant realm, the workings of this realm need to be understood to put into perspective the workings of the physical realm.
“Everyone on the side of the truth listens to me” (v37). In Jesus we see the embodiment of truth. Every person comes to an impression of what is true and lives accordingly. This impression need not always be the actual truth. And when a person lives out a lie all this life, it is a tragedy because he doesn’t recognize the foolishness of his way. We need genuine pointers to the truth and we do have them with the creation and people who have known God. But if you want to see truth in its purest form, look no further than Christ.
You would have no authority over me if it were not given to you from above” (John 19:11). Here Jesus in his final statement is reminding Pilate that all that man is because of God’s provision. It is God who reigns supreme as the highest authority and the apt response to such a God is to submit to him in humility. Not doing so will bring judgment.
Despite Jesus pointing him toward the truth, Pilate chose to do that which was convenient to him, fearing Cesar and the Jews far more than God and His perfect incarnation Christ, who stood before him. He sent Jesus to die only to find that Jesus rose from the dead triumphant. We do not know for sure what happened to Pilate after Jesus’ crucifixion. There are some traditions in the Eastern Orthodox church that venerate Pilate and his wife as Christian saints who were martyred. Perhaps Jesus’ conversation with Pilate did eventually lead him to truth.
