My Kingdom Is Not of This World (John 18:28-40)

[Sung Psalm: 74]

In our passage today we see four interactions: the Jews before Pilate; Jesus before Pilate; but then, in an odd reversal, Pilate before Jesus – and then Pilate before the Jews.

Pontius Pilate is one of three people mentioned in the Apostles' Creed. There is Jesus. There is Mary. And there is Pontius Pilate.

Why is Pilate so important to the Christian faith that he gets named in our Creed? Well, think about how he is named: "he suffered under Pontius Pilate..." The point is that Jesus lived at a particular time in history. Jesus is not just a "spiritual" figure with a "meaningful" story.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate – that very particular 1st century Roman governor. The philosophers could all tell you how to live "the good life." The Christian message is not about how to live "the good life."

The Christian message is the gospel – the Good News that Jesus is the Christ – the Son of God – and that he suffered for us under Pontius Pilate – he was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate.

And when Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate, he began those sufferings that constituted him the Savior of the World...