Today's message begins with a skit from Spill the Beans, Issue 26: "What is Truth?"

Andy: Jings, Ada, this Bible reading today is a bit of an eye opener.

Ada: Why do you say that, Andy?

Andy: Well, it’s just like our wee conversations.

Ada: In what way, Andy?

Andy: It’s like Jesus and Pilate are having their own ‘tête-à- tête’. You know, a wee mini dialogue to work out what truth is meant to be?

Ada: Oh, and what is truth...?

Andy: The truth is... oh wait a minute Ada, I see what you are doing here. Trying to catch me out with replying to my question by another question?

Ada: Really, Andy! Would I ever do anything like that?

Andy: Yes, you would Ada! And you would be in good company, because that’s what Jesus does to Pilate in this wee conversation.

Ada: But Andy, don’t you think this is more than just a wee dialogue or a philosophical discussion. This is Jesus making a wee court appearance, at the High court, being put on trial for high treason!

Andy: Get away with you, Ada! Jesus on trial? He never, ever did anything wrong. What would they put him on trial for?

Ada: Oh, all sorts of reasons, Andy. He was challenging the religious authorities who said he was a blasphemer. He was challenging the civic authorities for the way they failed to look after people. He challenged the ruling powers of the day because of their corrupt practices and their desire to swing the sword.

Andy: When you put it like that Ada, it’s a wonder they never made a lm out of this!

Ada: Oh, they have made plenty of lms about it Andy, but I think you are losing the point of the discussion here. Which with you, is nothing unusual!

Andy: Och, Ada, I get sidetracked easily with things.

Ada: Well Andy, it’s a discussion about what kind of life we should choose to live?

Andy: What do you mean by that, Ada?

Ada: The religious authorities, that is the Jewish Sanhedrin, which is a bit like our Church of Scotland’s General Assembly, thought that Jesus
was getting too big for his boots. He was outwitting them in public discussions, and out-debating them about the interpretations of their own laws. More and more folk were siding with Jesus over the Temple authorities.

Andy:  Like, he was causing a split in the church?

Ada:  Aye, that is kinda what the Religious authorities believed. They wanted to silence Jesus in some way, but being good and holy, they didn’t want to be seen to play dirty to get him into trouble, so they thought they could get the state authority to do their dirty work for them.

Andy:  Wow, you cannot believe religious folk would act like that?

Ada:  Andy, you should maybe read some church history, and discover that religious folk often try to get others to do their dirty work on their behalf. They can act like politicians more than people of God, twisting the truth to t the situation they nd themselves in.

Andy:  Surely people of God shouldn’t behave like that Ada? That’s shocking!

Ada:   Sadly they do, Andy. Like they did here, when they bring Jesus to the state authorities, telling them
that the religious law could not deal with this little problem, and it should be considered as a state offence. They told the Roman authorities that Jesus was like a terrorist, stirring up trouble and wanting to take over control, to become a new king in place of the powerful already in charge.

Andy:  Ohhh... that’s out of order. Jesus never wanted to become a king like that.

Ada:   I know that, Andy, and you know that, and the good folk in church know that, but when the state authorities believe a terrorist is on the loose, then they want to show how powerful they are, and they show strong leadership to deal with terrorists.

Andy:  But that’s outrageous, Ada. Jesus was never a terrorist. He would never harm a y. He was not like that.

Ada: I know Andy, I know, but there is a lot of power and control at stake which is why Pilate asks Jesus if he is a king.

Andy:  And Jesus saw right through that, didn’t he Ada? He said to Pilate that someone must have told him that. For Jesus never claimed to be a king who wanted to rule the world.

Ada:  No, because Jesus was talking about a different kind of kingdom. A hearts and mind kingdom. A spiritual kingdom, where all things were done to help others, and where people could live in peace and harmony with one another.

Andy: Sounds a lot better than May’s Brexit, Trump’s America, and Putin’s Russia!

Ada: The problem is, that the ruling authorities, took this to mean Jesus was challenging them to some kind of ght.

Andy: Hmm..., wasn’t he?

Ada: Yes, but not in the conventional way of armies ghting one another. This ght was about choosing to live your life following God, rather than some political ideology or utopia.

Andy: And then Jesus socks it to Pilate by telling him that he has come into the world to testify to the truth, and Pilate is suddenly wary of what he is doing and tells the crowd he has no reason to charge him, because Jesus had done nothing wrong.

Ada: Yes, but he does have Jesus beaten before he then decides to try and keep the religious authorities on his side, by offering a way out for everybody, and releasing Jesus if they wished.

Andy: Aye, but they didn’t release Jesus. The religious leaders whipped the crowds into a frenzy and they squealed for the Romans to release Barabbas instead of Jesus. And yon Barabbas was a thief and a terrorist!

Ada: It’s an unfair world, Andy. The truth does not win all the battles, but it will in the end!

Andy: Aye, the truth will set you free, but it’s not going to be easy.

Ada: It certainly is not, Andy. It certainly is not.

“The truth will set you free, but it’s not going to be easy."  It would be possible, I suppose, to look at Jesus and assume that the truth did not set him free.  However, this would be a mistaken assumption.  In spite of being bound with ropes and standing before Pilate, he is free.  He is free to lay down his life, and he is free to take it up again.  He is free to stand there calmly, in spite of what is facing him.  He knows who he is, why he is here on this earth, and what he is about to accomplish.  He is motivated by love rather than greed or fear.

         Just as Jesus tells Pilate, he has come “to testify to the truth” (Jn. 18:37).  He has come to reveal the truth of God’s transforming love.  This is a truth that actually brings with it comfort, and freedom, and joy for those who believe it and accept it (workingpreacher.org).  However, this same truth is threatening to some – including the religious leaders and Pontius Pilate and all those who prefer power to serving God.

         The truth will set you free, but it’s not going to be easy.  For often we prefer our own truth to the truth of God’s transforming love, which has been made known to us through Jesus Christ.  “The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (Jn. 1:17).  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Lent 4 (NL 4)                                                John 18:28-40

March 11, 2018

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison