 TRIAL OF THE AGES - Jesus’ trial before
Pilate is the centerpiece and dramatic climax of the story of Jesus in the gospels.
"There is nothing parallel to its scope or literary artistry in the trial narratives
of the Gospels. The trial is structured like a drama, with seven scenes delineated by
Pilate’s movements in and out of his headquarters. The trial brings to conclusion
many of the important christological themes of the Gospel, especially the themes of
judgment and kingship." [1]
QUESTION FOR QUESTION - Jesus returns Pilate’s first question with a question as
is common in the Gospel of John and further on in the trial. His responses move the reader
to the heart of the issue-how much can Pilate act on his own or will he be the pawn of
other interests? Jesus’ questioning creates a subtle imbalance in the conversation, a
sort of conversational reversal: Jesus positions himself as the interrogator and Pilate
the one on trial.
ANOTHER WITNESS - As in the case with John of the Apocalypse, so here also Jesus acts
in the role of a witness; and Jesus will have many more faithful witnesses that will
follow him faithfully through the ages-from among the earliest Christians to witnesses in
our own present time. The road will lead to their deaths because of their allegiance to
the Faithful Witness.
 As a child were you ever blamed
for something you didn’t do? How did you react?
Under pressure and fear, Peter scorns Christ yet becomes a leader in the nascent
Christian movement. Why then, when Pilate caves in under pressure do we vilify him?
Do you see any of Pilate’s qualities / weaknesses in yourself?
 Please refer to the homily in the DPS
archives for Christ the King Sunday.
___________________________________________
[1] The New Interpreter’s Study Bible (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003), page
1944.
|
