Jn 18:33b-37
Pilate then entered the court again, called Jesus and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “Are you saying this on your own initiative; or have others told you about me?”
Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingship does not come from this world. If I were king like those of this world, my servants would have fought to save me from being handed over to the Jews. But my kingship is not of this world.”
Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” And Jesus answered, “Just as you say, I am a king. For this I was born and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is on the side of truth hears my voice.”
REFLECTION
READ: Jesus now is under trial. He is being interrogated by Pilate whether He is the King of the Jews or not. The exchange between them did not yield the desired result Pilate wanted .
REFLECT: Many have misunderstood Jesus throughout the ages. This led to a false understanding of who Jesus is and what He is for us men and women. It led to division, wars and even ongoing hostilities until now. It also showed the all-too-human flaws of the various groups and their leaders who claimed Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Perhaps it is because Jesus Himself is too “large” to fit into neat orderly categories. He is a prophet but more than a prophet. A messiah but not a human messiah only. He is both human and divine messiah. He is a king but not according to the notion of the world. That is why Pilate could not grasp exactly who He is. Even the apostles could not quite grasp the enigma of His being. He could never fit into the box of our making. That is why He has to suffer.
RESPOND: To know Jesus better, we need to have a relationship with Him. We need to spend time and make an effort to nourish this relationship and allow it to grow into one that is loving. This love allows us to glimpse the mystery of His being, to have a better grasp of who He is. So, how is my relationship with the Lord lately? Perhaps a quiet moment with Him today should be tabled in my activity and I can spend some time in a loving conversation with Him just to touch base and reconnect in a purposeful way.
PRAY: Lord, disturb me when I am drifting away. Call me back to You; never allow me to stray that far. Give me that thirst to be with You until I am totally for You. Amen.
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