Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.
Pilate asks Jesus whether he is the 'king of the Jews' (verse 2). Jesus gives a very interesting answer: 'So you say.' In Greek it is literally, 'You say.' Apart from that, he doesn't answer his accusers (verse 9) and speaks only to the women of Jerusalem (verse 28) and the thief on the cross (verse 43).
It looks as though he is past appealing to people or trying to make himself understood. Now it is time for people to choose: 'You say.' The same thought is expressed in the people's choice of Barabbas for release over Jesus (verse 18) and the different responses of the thieves crucified with him (39–40). He has spent years living and working with the people, teaching, working miracles and showing them a different way of life; if he is the 'king of the Jews', he is an entirely different sort of king from what they seem to think. They have all the information they need.
There is a big drama here, and lots of small ones. In the sweep of the Gospel story, Jesus had to die; that is the mystery of salvation. There was a sort of cosmic wickedness at work. But the individuals involved had their own choices to make, too. Each of these choices is a human story. And of course, we have to choose too. What sort of king is Jesus – and where are we in the story? Weeping like the women or calling for Barabbas, hurling insults like one thief or repentant like the other?
God, thank you for Jesus, who willingly suffered and died for me. Help me to choose rightly, and to serve him to the end.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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