Reflection
Today’s Gospel is John’s version of the Passion of our Lord. Unlike the other Gospel writers, today is the first and only time John speaks, through the question of Pontius Pilate, about Jesus as the King of the Jews.
John waits until the end of his Gospel to narrate something about the Kingdom of God. The Jews who handed Jesus over to Pilate needed something better than blasphemy to argue that Jesus deserved to be executed by the Romans. And so, they accused Jesus of insurrection and treason. That is why Pilate asks him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Pilate wants to know if Jesus poses a challenge to Caesar’s authority.
Jesus uses Pilate’s question to clarify that there is a distinction between earthly kingship and heavenly kingship. Earthly kingship is not superior to divine omnipotence and omniscience. As Jesus says to Pilate: “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above.” The Kingdom of God that Jesus established is not political or merely earthly. It is a heavenly Kingdom that has been inaugurated on earth. It is like leaven in the dough. It transforms society, making it more just and charitable. It is like a treasure buried in the field of the world. It welcomes both sinners and saints. It will start small like a seed but become a great tree that welcomes all nations. As we hear in the Preface for the feast of Christ the King, the Kingdom of Christ is “an eternal and universal kingdom, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace.”
When Pilate presented Jesus to the people, he said, “Behold, your King!” He said it mockingly, but he declared a great truth. The king the people saw was bloodied from the scourging and bruised from the punches across his face. He was a suffering king. On the cross Jesus, our Lord and King, reigned and offered forgiveness to sinners. From the tomb, Jesus emerged victorious. Jesus conquered death by dying. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father. And for two thousand years, Jesus has reigned and will reign until the end of time, when he comes in glory.
As we remember Jesus’ Passion, let’s remember why we call today “Good Friday.” Today is the day Jesus inaugurated the events directly leading to our salvation. Yes indeed, today is Good Friday.
Today’s Question for Prayer and Reflection
How can we honor Jesus today for the love He poured out for us on the Cross?
Sources for today’s reflection: https://epriest.com/reflections/view/3389