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Jesus’ passion & death

“Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified”
— John 19:16

Kingdom Not of this World

Once again the season calls us to participate in the drama of the Holy Week. Those of us who faithfully embrace the Christian faith cannot fully comprehend the meaning of the season without a solemn review of the ageless narrative of Jesus’ passion and death. The circumstances surrounding Jesus’ tragic suffering on the cross sound like a mere sentimental journey into the past, but whatever degree of interest we have in it, the drama, nevertheless, confronts and compels us to interpret its significance for our own time. 

John’s Gospel tells us that hours before the actual crucifixion, Jesus was brought to Pilate, the mighty governor who himself was not too clear about the charges against the man (cf. John 19:1-16). In any case, during the arraignment, Governor Pilate had no choice but to listen to the people’s accusation leveled against Jesus. As a wielder of great political power, Pilate was apparently anxious to know whether Jesus’ claim for kingship posed any threat to his own government. For to any ranking representative of the established order, the most dangerous suspects were those who threaten the system.

Since the system itself maintains the court of law, it is difficult, if not impossible, for any court to be impartial, especially when the issue of its own existence is critically called into question. Hence, Pilate confronted Jesus with the question: “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus made a firm reply: “My kingdom does not belong to this world!” (cf. Jn.18:33,36). This response caused Pilate to have a sigh of relief, for through the years he had sought nothing but the security of his political career and the stability of the Roman domination.

Indeed, the Pilates and Caesars of this world have every reason to be relieved because the Kingdom Jesus advocates is not identical with any earthly institutions or governments. God’s Kingdom is not of this world, because the world and all its standards of greatness and power still fall under the judgment and grace of God’s Kingdom. Thus, the fears and anxieties of modern Caesars and Pilates could easily be dispelled by the re-assuring response of Jesus.

And so, finally, according to John, Pilate stood up before the accusers and said: “I cannot find any reason to condemn him” (Jn.19:4).

Life of Persecution

The drama of the Holy Week unfolds to us not only the tragic dimension in Jesus’ life. Records show that his entire life was lived under the persecution of powers around him, his critics and adversaries, and the whole story of such persecution culminated on the cross.

Matthew’s account of the nativity reveals to us that the baby Jesus, a picture of helplessness and innocence, was the object of fury and caused the disturbance in the king’s palace. King Herod had to order a company of soldiers to execute all male infants within the vicinity of Bethlehem. The bloody massacre of innocent children in that humble town could have been the most awful, horrible foreshadowing of Jesus’ persecution. Luke’s also reports that in the course of fulfilling his teaching and preaching ministry in various towns and villages, not only were there constant threats on Jesus’ life; there were also actual attempts to assassinate him (cf. Lk.4:28-30). Thus, when the cross finally presented itself, Jesus knew it was curtain for him.

It was expected that after his death, Jesus’ followers would also suffer the same fate. They had to, because this time it was the crucified Christ who was being preached. The emerging church, which was the immediate fruit of Christ’s crucifixion, in similar manner, found itself in the face of various forms of persecution.

Indeed, wherever the truths of the Gospel is preached and proclaimed, the drama of Christ’s persecution is constantly reenacted. Ours is basically the same old world where the bearers of truth suffer mockery and violence. To follow Jesus is to live under persecution and such predicament often culminates in the bearing of our own crosses. #

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