Holy Wednesday (April 1). Who’s in control?

Prepare to Listen.  I am the light of the world.
 
Prayerfully Read John 18:28-32
28Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters.  It was early in the morning.  They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover.  29So Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”  30They answered, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.”  31Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.”  The Jews replied, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.”  32(This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.)
 
Prayerfully Wonder
The Jews (the religious rulers), thought they were in charge.  They would manipulate Pilate into doing what they wanted—crucifying Jesus.  They took him to Pilate’s headquarters, whom they disrespected when they refused to go inside, making Pilate come outside.  They wanted to avoid ritual defilement so they could eat Passover that night.
 
It was the first of seven times that Pilate went outside for Jesus’ trial.  He immediately asked for the accusation.  Thinking they controlled the narrative, the Jews didn’t give one, insisting that Pilate submit to their judgment that Jesus deserved to die.  Pilate tried to refuse, but the Jews persisted, reminding Pilate they had no power to condemn a person to death by crucifixion.
 
John ended this first scene with a parenthetical statement: “(This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.)”  Three times Jesus had said that he would be “lifted up,”[1] indicating his both his death on a cross and his glorification.  The men who believed they controlled the narrative failed to realize they were powerless.  They were doing what Jesus said would happen to him.
 
I think about this scene today as wealthy, powerful men think they control the narrative of what happens in the U.S., and the world.  Like the Jews who thought they were in control, today’s powerful fail to see the Greater Power, God, behind them inexorably bringing the narrative to the fulfillment of God’s plan.  Trust that Power.
 
Life may be messy and ugly, tempting us to take control of the narrative of our nation, our personal lives, the church.  Who are you trusting to control the narrative of what you’re now living?
 
Prayerfully Respond
Lord Jesus, help me today to look to you, trust you alone to control the narrative, even when things seem to get worse and not better.  Amen.
 
Live obediently.  Trust Jesus, who controls the narrative of the world.
[1] John 3:14, 8:28; 12:32.