Mark 15: 1-15
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The New
Testament Witness of the Apostle
Peter |
The Pulpit at Pilgrim's Rest Christ Covenant Reformed (PCA) |
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In a four volume series, the late very secular author Isaac Asimov, explored the destruction and refoundation of a galactic empire. That Foundation series was based upon the premise that a declining empire would prepare proper appropriate foundations for a successor empire. To that end, two centers for renewal were positioned for such a purpose at opposite ends of the empire. One of these Foundations was positioned far out at the extreme end of the galaxy. If my memory is good, that first foundation was discovered and terminated. The second foundation was diligently searched for in all the remote corners of the galaxy to no avail. Its existence remained secure, hidden in the bureaucratic hallways of the home planet: right at the geographic center of the galaxy. How appropriate to measure the ends of the cosmos in such a manner.
In the same way we can gather a hint of the universal collaboration in Jerusalem the night before Christ's crucifixion. In addition to the Jewish Sanhedrin located in the geographic center of our planet's land mass, there was the representative of the great empire of that time as well. His name was Pontius Pilate.
Highlander magazine had an article one year about Pilate's father, a Roman soldier who served in the Northern marches of the British isles. There is some slight evidence that Pilate's father took a Scottish lass for a wife, thus giving Pilate a dubious claim for having been born at the literal ends of the civilized realm. To this point, while our stories make good copy, we have to appreciate that the realities are less than provable. However, as we turn to events in Jerusalem in approximately 26 AD, we enter the real world of supportable, factual history.
Once full grown, Pilate turns up in Jerusalem as Procurator, representing the authority of the Empire. In that Holy City, he felt compelled to connive and collaborate with the Jewish authorities over the fate of one Jesus. Jesus as you remember, was brought to the attention of the Roman authority because of His claim to being the Son of God, universal king and Lord of the universe. Pilate saw through the petty accusations of the Chief priests and Sadducees. He well understood that the spiritual nature of Jesus' ministry and claims posed no immediate threat to the authority of Rome. Pilate equally knew the nature of the Jewish leaders. Already, they had complained twice to Rome about his administration. He had even been accused of being no friend of Caesar.
Now this first century bureaucrat was in a tight spot. He had a difficult choice. He could stand on principle, risk his career, and do the right thing. Or he could accede to the wishes of the Sanhedrin mob! According to the gospel records, he desperately clutched at an annual custom of the time. That custom involved the release of any one political prisoner currently being held. Pilate tried to use this custom to release Jesus. But the religious crowd in Jerusalem would have none of it. Just as Martin Luther discovered during his visit to Rome, piety may more likely be found away from a "Holy City" than in it! This religious crowd followed the men to whom they owed leadership. To please their leaders, the crowd called loudly for the crucifixion of Jesus.
Pilate, simply wimped out and went along! He as the current political terms go, wiffled and waffled in order to survive politically. He participated in the killing of a king in order to remain a governor. How very human of Pilate. Here in this passage we see the true nature of mankind. Like Pilate we are all given tough choices in this life. And Pilate seeks self-preservation. In order to continue living in his comfortable condition, he ignores his conscious, buries his heart, grits his teeth and sends Jesus away to be flogged and handed over to be crucified. True, one of the other gospel writers shows that Pilate would wash his hands so that he could not be held accountable for innocent blood. Yet, our ancient creed affirms that Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate and went on to die on the cross.
Here was a man, like many men, who meant well. Here was a man who realized that an injustice was about to happen. Here was a man who knowingly allowed a crime to be perpetuated under the guise of the law. Did he in his life, ever realize how great an evil he attempted to cleanse away in that famous hand washing scene? Here was a man like so many before and after him who truly deserved eternity in hell because he was unwilling to risk his comfortable career.
How many times has such a similar scene been perpetuated to the ends of the earth? During the French and Indian Wars, a multitude of atrocities were done by all the opposing parties. One writer was able to gather the reactions of the lowly Indian warriors. Just as in the white camps, the common warrior did not always agree with what was done in the name of warfare. Many decent Indians were aghast at the terrible torture and killings of enemy captives. Yet, they stood by even as they vomited in disgust and did not try to stop the carnage. In the same way, very many Germans looked the other way when truck and train loads of victims passed through their villages during World War Two.
Poor old Pilate we may be thinking - to be faced with such a difficult choice of what to do with Jesus Christ. Like all men we too are providentially led to a situation where we must consider the claims of Christ. Just as Pilate could not escape having to make some decision about Jesus Christ, so are we all called to decide what we are going to do with Him.
From the ends of the earth, all men in some situation or another are called to make a decision. Even in Jerusalem, those most loyal to Jesus, like Peter and the rest who were scattered abroad that night when Jesus was accused, were faced with tough questions. Remember Peter, who three times denied he even knew Jesus? Perhaps you would like to think, if you had just been there things would have turned out differently! Do you really think so? The unbelievers in this portion of Mark's fifteenth chapter act in accordance with the basest human instincts. It is not often that our fictional expectations of our own best inclinations occur. In a famous scene from one of Shakespeare's plays. Officers determine to execute a prisoner to make the King happy. A sergeant of the guard steps forward, weapon in hand and declares: "You can't do that, I'll not allow it to happen." That is what every person would expect themselves to do in Pilate's position. Remember, Shakespeare wrote fiction, historically related fiction to be sure. And yet, the wicked that men would do will be done in spite of our best intentions. In that play, the sergeant was cut down from behind and killed. In Germany, the pastors and leaders who spoke out against Herr Hitler disappeared into the concentration camps.
Whistle blowers in our own bureaucratic agencies suddenly find themselves unemployed. I spent fifteen years out of the ministry because I would not compromise and join the liberal party. Every time I am faced with a political decision that might affect my school income, I wrestle with my conscience and am often pinned to the mat in a very awkward position. Each time you lose, your ability to succeed is lessened. Such was Pilate's dilemma. He, like us all was caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place.
In Pilate's place, what would you have really done? Remember, your career, your livelihood, your reputation, your good name are all on the line. Most of us would probably do exactly what unregenerate Pilate did. Now do not get me wrong, I am not trying to do what the author's of Jesus Christ Super Star tried to do. In that play, they spoke of "poor old Judas" who was the real star and innocent at risk. No, I am simply trying to get you all to appreciate where our natural attitudes and affections would lead us. Too many people today think too highly of the human "animal" and believe that the natural man uncorrupted by power and influence is a true "innocent". In our gospel scene before us, the only true "innocent" is Jesus Christ Himself. The key people in this scene, who may well represent the opposite ends of the known Roman earth, all play out their parts according to their natural instincts. And that is a flaw that we all must learn to appreciate. Given the same circumstances put before Pilate, we would have all gone along politically to survive. If we are to appreciate the necessity of Christ's death and resurrection we must come to this conclusion, every single man and woman alive suffers from the same malady. That malady is sin. Under the right circumstances, we would all have betrayed justice and Jesus for political and social ends. May we all this day comprehend and understand this natural part of our human condition.
The natural bad news of the human condition is that which enlightens the Good News. After all there is one thing about the natural world that is similar to the spiritual world. If you bring a flashlight, match or candle into a dark room the light overcomes the darkness however frail the little light you have. In the same way, the light of Christ shines out in the darkness of human history. Here indeed is the Light of the world, the King of all the earth who has come to submit to a lawless death for which He had no guilt of any kind! Satan and all his minions must have celebrated heartedly for three days only. Then the totally unexpected happened, the Light of the world could not be extinguished!
Satan could not bring a dark lamp into the light of God's promises and put out the light! Just as in the natural relationship of light and darkness, so is the spiritual as well. Jesus the man was truly Christ the Messiah, who came and died that sin and death may one day be overcome. From the heights of heaven to the pit of hades, the Lord of Light went for one purpose - to die that we might live a life with Him in the presence of His Father in heaven. Praise be the Lord. Amen.
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Barclay, William. |
The Gospel of Mark: Daily Study Bible. Background Only! |
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Chadwik, G.A. |
St Mark: The Expositor's Bible. |
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Cole, Alan. |
Tyndale New Testament
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Keener, Craig S. |
The IVP Bible Background Commentary:
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Pringle, William. |
Calvin's New Testament
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"Bringing the Light of the Reformation to Scripture" (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995) |
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B2b28 |
08 April 00 |