[Propertalk] Sermon quotes for John 18:33-37 - Nov. 22 - Part 3

[Joe Parrish]

Verse 34. A low status person would not reply to a superior's question with a question. So Jesus' response to Pilate indicates that Jesus does not accept Pilate as a social superior. His question to Pilate in effect asks, "Have you been following my career yourself? Do you have first-hand knowledge about me?" Pilate, of course, would only be following the career of superiors, upon whose shifting loyalties and rank his own life and privileges would depend.

Verse 35. Pilate's reply would be heard as a loss of honour because he accepts - and answers - Jesus' question, "I am not a Judean." Having failed to get Jesus to plead "Guilty as charged," Pilate now demands that Jesus make a confession, "What have you done?" 

http://www.holytextures.com/2009/10/john-18-33-37-year-b-pentecost-29-34-reign-of-christ-the-king-sermon.html

David Ewart
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 "Long Live Christ the King!" The year was 1925 when a young Mexican priest shouted that cry as he was being executed for treason. The Mexican government at that time was hostile to the Church. The Church in Mexico was disenfranchised and its property seized and appropriated by the state. Seminaries were forced to operate underground. Priests were arrested for conducting services and for administering the sacraments. Everything had to be done under cover. Even on his way to make sick calls, Father Miguel Pro took precautions. If he felt he was being followed, the priest walked with a young lady to avoid suspicion. He was finally caught and sentenced to death. The charge against him was that he had been an accomplice in an assassination attempt. They said he had been seen at a park within four miles of a bombing. He was led to execution in the police courtyard. With arms outstretched like a cross, he shouted this cry as the volley of bullets tore into his body: VIVA CHRISTO REY! Long live Christ the King! That same year in 1925, Pius XI proclaimed the feast day of Christ the King as a witness against the destructive forces that forever seemed to rear their ugly heads in the story of nations. 

http://www.crossings.org/theology/2009/theolo756.shtml

Norb E. Kabelitz, 2009
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As a feast, it is quite recent.  It was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925, to remind Christians of their true allegiance in the face of virulent Communist and Fascist ideologies that claimed to create earthly paradises that would fulfill every human need, while exerting absolute dominion over their populations.

http://gospelforgays.com/?p=591&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+GospelForGays+(Gospel+For+Gays)

Jeremiah Bartram, 2009
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Pilate was one of those people who wanted to remain neutral, who didn't want to become involved.  He wasn't for Jesus nor was he against Jesus.  Pilate was the man in the middle and he wanted to remain the middle where he thought he could save his skin.
There is one basic lesson to be learned from Pilate:  Before the cross of Christ, there is no neutrality.  The cross of Christ always demands a decision.  

http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/series_b_christ_the_king_ga.htm

Edward F. Markquart
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I wonder and worry that people perceive Christ's rule to be similar to the queen of England's rule. Do we view Christ as one surrounded with the art and beauty of a tradition that is more antique than active? Do we see this figure of salvation as hopelessly outdated and practically mute in these postmodern times?

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_23_120/ai_111114179/

Mary W. Anderson, 2003
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As Roman governor of Judea, Pilate was judge and jury in capital cases. His question was direct: "Do you claim to be king of the area I govern in the name of Caesar?" An affirmative answer would have sealed the fate of Jesus, since he would be branded as a political revolutionary. 

http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/b/King-b/A-King-b.html

Larry Broding
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It frightens us to hear such open talk about truth. We are more concerned with how to live in a world where there is a plurality of truths-and with how to do so without killing each other-than we are with truth. Pilate himself was trying to deal with this problem of pluralism. It was difficult enough keeping Jews in their place-with their Sadducees, Pharisees and Essenes-without a young Nazarene claiming to be the truth. Pilate's response to Jesus' claim was to try to get him into a philosophical discussion about truth. And then, when this rabbi refused to enter the discussion-refused to be rational-he had him killed.
http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=64

William Willimon, 1987
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