“Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:
JESUS OF NAZARETH,
KING OF THE JEWS
“Then many of the Jews read this title…therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.”’
“Pilate answered, ‘What I have written, I have written.’”
Even two thousand years ago there were those who were offended by what others posted. Pilate’s wife warned him not to get involved. His personal interview with Jesus seemed to confirm her fears. However, a riot on the streets of Jerusalem would look bad when reported to Caesar. So, he decided to crucify a man he believed to be innocent to prevent one.
Life was cheaper than Roman honor. Pilate wrote his assessment for crucifixion based on his judgment and refused to back up. He then publicly washed his hands of the entire affair.
Ironically, the only one in a long list of named historical figures in this story whose existence is in doubt is the centerpiece of the entire story. Jesus Christ, whatever your assessment of him might be, became with his crucifixion and resurrection the pivotal point of history.
Whether you write Anno Domini (AD)or Before Christian Era (BCE), you are still acknowledging the historical truth that all that came before Him was looking forward to His life and all that has happened since looks outward on his inextinguishable life.
As St. Paul later testified to the facts of Jesus’ history before King Agrippa… “this thing was not done in a corner.” When the fullness of time had come, the eternal expression of God Himself took on a human body, lived a sinless life, and paid the just wages of sin—death. He then threw off the bonds of death and proclaimed eternal life in union with God to all who would receive it. This life is not one lost in God as a drop entering a boundless sea, but a life freely lived eternally unique and shared with God.
There is no religious or supernatural mystery to it. God spoke it from the beginning. He had it written down. Then, He brought it to pass. To quote an old movie line, “So let it be written, so let it be done.”
Maranatha
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