Faithful Conversations #91
Introduction to Readers:
“What is truth?” Pilate’s cynical question from John 18:38 has been on my mind this week. Merriam-Webster defines truth as the body of real things, events, and facts. Of all the disconcerting things in our present environment, disinformation seems especially fraught with danger: who and what do we believe? What information can we trust? Pilate’s question, perhaps, is remarkably relevant in 2024. More on that in a bit.
The Liturgical Calendar
This week marks the end of the church year and Year B of the Lectionary Cycle. Some quick history. In 1925, responding to the brutal ravages of the Great War, Pope Pius XI designated the last Sunday in October as “Christ the King” Sunday. Witnessing totalitarian and secular forces marching across the globe, including the rise of communism in Russia and fascism in Italy and Spain (foreshadowing Nazism in Germany), the Pope sought to remind Christians of their true allegiance to God Almighty. Later, as part of the reforms emerging from the Second Vatican Council, Christ the King Sunday was moved to where it sits in the lectionary today, the final Sunday of the liturgical calendar and hinge point into Advent. A reminder that the ELCA follows the Revised Common Lectionary that emerged in the 1990s, and Christ the King Sunday was absorbed from these earlier changes.
Thanks for visiting this space again this week! A reminder that the goal of this project is simply to engage with the Lectionary readings as a way of enhancing our faith journeys. We join millions of other Christians worldwide as we do this. One suggestion I might offer is to spend a few minutes with one reading per day, applying the four-question reading approach:
1. What is something new you learned from the reading? (NEW)
2. What is something that caught your attention and made you think? (REFLECT)
3. What did you read that relates to other reading you have done? (RELATE)
4. What would you like to discuss from the reading? (DISCUSS)
My reflections this week will focus on John 18, with references to the passage from Revelation.
Reading for Christ the King Sunday
Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14
Psalm 93
Revelation 1: 4b-8
John 18: 33-37
Common Themes in the Readings for Christ the King Sunday
The readings for Christ the King Sunday emphasize the sovereignty and eternal reign of Christ as the King of all creation. Daniel 7:9-14 portrays a vision of God’s authority and the establishment of an everlasting kingdom, symbolizing the ultimate triumph of Christ. You will see a connection between the words from Daniel and Revelation 1:4b-8 declaring Jesus as the faithful witness, ruler of kings, and the Alpha and Omega, emphasizing His divine authority and role as the eternal King. Psalm 93 celebrates God’s majestic power and steadfast rule over the earth, affirming that His throne is eternal and unshakable. In John 18:33-37, Jesus reveals that His kingdom is not of this world, underscoring the spiritual and transcendent nature of His reign.
The Second Reading: Revelation 1: 4b-8
4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. So it is to be. Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
The Gospel: John 18: 33-37
33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35 Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom belonged to this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
(Additional Verses: 38-40) 38 Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him. 39 But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 40 They shouted in reply, “Not this man but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a rebel.
reflection: “quid est veritas?” (what is truth?)
“What is Truth?”
Nikolai Ge (1831–1894)
Young Mary and the Annunciation
Pontius Pilate. We mention him every week while reciting the Apostle’s Creed. In fact, there are three people mentioned in both the Apostle’s and Nicene Creeds — Jesus, Mary, and Pilate. (Sidebar: Mary is referenced, though not named, in the Athanasian Creed, and there is no reference to Pilate). So, who was this guy and what should we know about him?
Pontius Pilate was a Roman governor of Judea from around 26 to 36 CE, appointed by the Emperor Tiberius. He is most famous for presiding over the trial of Jesus Christ and ordering his crucifixion, despite finding no fault in him. Pilate’s tenure as governor was marked by tensions with the Jewish population, particularly over issues like Roman idolatry and the use of temple funds, which led to several violent confrontations. Historical accounts suggest Pilate was recalled to Rome after a dispute with the Samaritans, and there are various reports about his fate, including claims that he faced execution or exile. Pilate’s legacy remains largely defined by his role in the Passion narrative, making him a key figure in Christian theology. Like many other figures from the ancient world, Pilate’s legacy is complicated!
The captivating exchange between Jesus and Pilate in John 18 is noted in all four Gospels (Matthew 27, Mark 15, and Luke 23), indicating its significance in the early Christian narratives. Pilate seeks to understand the identity of this young man standing before him. As a representative of the powerful Roman Empire, he is disdainful of those that may be angling for political power within the society yet is unclear whether Christ poses a threat. Jesus, on the other hand, represents a completely different kind of power as one who came into the world, to testify to the truth (verse 37). (Recall the earlier exchange between Jesus and Thomas in John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”).
Pilate’s piercing follow-up question — What is truth? — is the perfect prompt for that moment in Jesus’ story. Jesus is the truth, the one eternal and perfect truth. Further, the Kingdom He is ushering in does not belong to this world (verse 36) yet is more powerful than any temporal authority (Revelation 1:5). Guided by the Holy Spirit, we carry that Kingdom on our shoulders and in our hearts every day. In our post-truth and disinformation culture, this is the powerful truth we can rely on, and this is news we must share!
Soli Deo Gloria!
prayer reflection: “beautiful savior, king of creation”
Paul J. Christiansen
(1914-1997)
F. Melius Christiansen
(1871-1955)
Note: How many times have we heard and sung Beautiful Savior (hymn 838 in the ELW)? Yet, this familiar hymn has several references to Jesus as King that I have never appreciated as much as I do after walking through this week’s Lectionary. If you’re interested in the fascinating history of the hymn, check this out. One of the arrangements of the hymn that caught fire within our denomination came from Norwegian born F. Melius Christiansen who directed the St. Olaf Choir for thirty years. His son, Paul J. Christiansen, directed the Concordia Choir from 1937-1986, and made this song a staple in the choir’s repertoire. (Sidebar: In her college days, my mother Cathy sang under Christiansen at Concordia and took great pride in being the soloist on this particular song). I included the words here and a stirring version of the song performed by the Concordia Choir last year while in Rome. Enjoy!
1 Beautiful Savior, King of creation,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I’d love Thee, truly I’d serve thee,
Light of my soul, my Joy, my Crown.
2 Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands,
Robed in flow’rs of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer;
He makes our sorr’wing spirit sing.
3 Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight,
Bright the sparkling stars on high;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels in the sky.
4 Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, Praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!
An Announcement Regarding an Adult Education Opportunity!
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
(1906-1945)
We are planning a book study on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s 1937 classic, The Cost of Discipleship. The goal will be for people to read it between now and the end of the year in preparation for several in-person sessions at ELC in early 2025. While giving us an opportunity to dive into some Lutheran history, Bonhoeffer’s book remains incredibly relevant for 21st Century Christians! We plan to order several copies of the book, and also hope that many will purchase it for themselves. In addition, be aware that a film on Bonhoeffer will be coming out around Thanksgiving, and my intention is to reference the book and Bonhoeffer’s life within the blog as well.
The Past is a Foreign Country 