Good Friday of the
Lord’s Passion
(Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John
18:1-19:42)
The Gospel according to John portrays Jesus as fond of
personal encounters. At the beginning of
his ministry Jesus engages Nicodemus and then the Samaritan woman in
one-on-ones. These encounters lead to the
salvation of both although it is not apparent in Nicodemus’ case until today’s
gospel reading. Jesus also encounters
the crippled man at the pool of Bethesda, the man born blind in Jerusalem, and
Martha and Mary individually in Bethany -- all with positive outcomes. However, in today’s account of Jesus’ passion
his face-off with Pontius Pilate ends regrettably.
Pilate meets Jesus with objectivity. He seems interested in determining the
veracity of the Jews’ claim that Jesus makes himself out to be a rival to the Roman
emperor. He asks him, “’Are you the King
of the Jews?’” Jesus answers him obliquely
which precipitates a conversation on the nature of kingly power. As the conversation continues, Pilate becomes
satisfied that Jesus does not threaten Roman sovereignty. Pilate quickly maneuvers to release Jesus by
first claiming him as the beneficiary of the annual Passover pardon and then by
having him scourged so that the normal person would say that he has suffered
enough. But the Jews are portrayed as implacable
as they bully Pilate into betraying his judgment of the case.
Each of us should see Jesus as personally confronting her
or him today. He is asking, “Carmen, do
you believe that I died on the cross to win your salvation? Or is this service only a ritual to mark time,
no more significant than Halloween?” Hopefully,
we can answer honestly, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Savior of the
world.” That said, we will want to give
him homage.
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