Those
in public office and those looking toward politics as a career should read the
accounts of Jesus’ path from Gethsemane to Calvary every Friday. The quest of
political power is a death dance with history; and being on the so-called “right
side of history” is to be on a collision course with prophecy.
Jesus
said as much at the moment of his arrest. When his disciples prepared to do
battle he stopped them, told them he could call better forces into the battle, and
pointed out there is an unfolding narrative which will be played out.
He
even took a moment to explain this to those arresting him:
And...
Following
that we have a ring-side record of the political death dance.
- Pilate desperately holding onto his illusion of power.
- The Jewish high court viciously taking advantage of his lack of a truth base.
- The false accusations. The spins. The rule by mob intimidation. The “smoking gun” (Jesus’ declaration of Messiah-hood).
And
always, the issue is not the issue. The issue is control. Everyone is running
for office. Everyone, that is, except Jesus. He is deftly maneuvering the whole
episode to the one pivotal moment which betrays the course of human history and
the deep-seated determination of every human soul.
It
happens when the mob is at its highest pitch. Pilate asks, with Jesus standing
beside him, Shall I crucify your King? The mob
replies, Away with him! And the chief
priests, confident in their knowledge of the right side of history, speak for
every unrepentant soul from Adam to Armageddon:
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