You Can’t Handle the Truth! And neither can I.
The Wood Between the Worlds (By Brian Zahnd)
Chapter 8: What is Truth?
There are only three historical figures mentioned in the Apostle’s and Nicene Creeds. Two of them make sense - Jesus and Mary. The third is Pontius Pilate.
We declare that Jesus “Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.” (Apostle’s Creed)
It may seem odd, but Zanhnd reminds us that the mention of Pontius Pilate gives us a pin to point on the timeline of history for when Jesus lived, died, and rose from the dead. The inclusion of Pilate in the creed grounds our faith in real history. When we talk about Jesus of Nazareth, we are not talking “once upon a time.” It’s not a fable. Jesus really lived on the earth, and he was sentenced to death by a Roman governor who is known by historical sources outside of the Bible.
When the religious authorities hand Jesus over to Pilate, they do so hoping that Pilate will use his power to condemn Jesus to death, and certainly Pilate had that authority to make such judgments.
It is crazy to think that the One who Pilot owes his existence to, would be condemned to die by Pilate. The Creator condemned to die by the created ones. That is a heavy thought.
Pilate wants to know if Jesus really is a king. If Jesus is a king, that’s no good for Pilate. Only the Roman authorities can grant that kind of power. King Herod was “king of the Jews” because Rome said he was. It was a messy political arrangement.
Jesus tells Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” (Jn. 18:36)
That’s all Pilate needed to hear - certainly enough to condemn him to death.
“‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate.”(Jn 18:37a)
“Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’” (Jn. 18:37b)
Pilate then asks the question of all questions…
“What is truth?” (Jn. 18:38)
That question happens to be the title of Chapter 8.
Zahnd writes…
“Pilate’s truth is the lie that the world can only be arranged as a winner-take-all blood sport. Pilate’s truth is the lie that ruling the world through lethal power is noble and just. For Pilate the Roman cross is truth. Caesar sits atop the world because he commands the Roman legions and their capacity to inflict lethal violence. This is the only truth Pilate knows: the world is ruled by those who have the greatest capacity to kill - be it by Roman legions or by nuclear arsenals.” (Zahnd, p. 79)
Pilate had his truth, but Jesus came to testify to that which is really true.
In the post-modern age that we live in where truth is said to be relative, based upon individual preferences and feelings, the cross sheds light on the truth.
Zahnd continues…
“Jesus came into the world to bear witness to the truth because the truth had been buried under a mountain of lies…and bodies. In his crucifixion Jesus became the mirror by which the world could see the truth about itself. When we look at the cross, we see the truth that we are not a world of righteousness and justice; we are a world that kills the innocent for the sake of power.” (Zahnd, p. 79)
Jesus’ death on the cross came to expose the lie that has been propagated over and over again by individuals, families, tribes, nations, empires and governments all through the history of the world - it’s the lie that says power is everything.
It’s the lie that says “king of the hill” is the most important game to win.
It’s the lie that says we must be suspicious of our neighbors and those who don’t look like us or speak like us.
It’s the lie that says resources are scarce, and there’s only enough for our tribe.
It’s the lie that flows from Cain that says, “the mighty are their brother’s conqueror, not their brother’s keeper.” (Zahnd, p. 79)
It’s the lie that empowered Pilate to say, “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” (Jn. 19:10)
Jesus said, “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (Jn. 18:37b)
The truth is, Jesus is the way.
And his way is truth.
And his way is life.
To say that “Jesus is the way” isn’t just something we say or believe so we can go to heaven when we die. Jesus’ way is a way of life.
And we don’t have to wonder what that way of life looks like. Jesus tells us what the Kingdom way is…
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad,because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Mt. 5:3-12)
The truth is, Jesus is King of all who strive to live in these ways, imperfect as we are, nevertheless we are dedicated to this way.
Zahnd closes his chapter with a scorcher of a quote from Miroslav Volf…
“Pilate deserves our sympathies, not because he was a good though tragically mistaken man, but because we are not much better. We may believe in Jesus, but we do not believe in his ideas, at least not his ideas about violence, truth, and justice.” (p. 82)
Ouch, and Amen.