How Common is My Christ?

Good Friday: Seemed like an appropriate day to read about Jesus’ crucifixion. So thumbing through John to chapter 18 where the story really gets started I expected to be reminded of the brutality of that day, perhaps access remembered images of Mel Gibson’s movie, reflect on God’s love for enduring so much for my sake, and possibly be stirred to some kind of emotional response…I mean, I should be stirred right? It’s Good Friday, I’m a Christian, I work for a church.

Reading the account I thought to be so familiar though, the imagery of the drama that unfolded on that day came to life for me in my mind as it had never before. Usually the character I focus on, who the movies are always about, and certainly who is ultimately the point is Jesus. But this morning it was the person of Pilate, the Roman Governor, ultimately responsible for the decision of Jesus’ fate, where my attention was drawn.

For the first time I saw in my mind’s eye just how common Jesus must have seemed to this man: seated in a governor’s palace with a carpenter, in working man’s clothes, bloodied and tired from the night before, standing before him. Though these moments recorded in John 2000 years ago mark the fulcrum of history to us, to Pilate then and there it was no more than a very difficult day at work. Throughout the account in John Pilate is contentious of his duty, seeks to make the wisest decision for his governorship, attempts to be just, in ways seems compassionate, and even wrestles with the implications of Jesus’ claims of divinity. But ultimately, when weighed against the pressures of life, the demands of the job, and the harsh realities before him, Jesus, the Carpenter Son of God, is someone to be dismissed.

Pilate gives Jesus to be crucified that his career may continue, offering a sign above the bloodied Christ’s head reading “THE KING OF THE JEWS” as a half measure of recognition that, had the circumstances been different, Jesus and His lordship might have been worthy of consideration.

Today the risen Christ still comes in power cloaked in humility, the images evoked by the crucifixion  story this morning making me consider how often I am Pilate to my Carpenter King.

If we are not in the buckle of the Bible Belt here in Little Rock, we are at least in the big Turquoise inlay just off to its right; and here, to us, to me, Jesus indeed can be common. I get busy, I get selfish, I excuse my sin and enlarge MY kingdom, while posting my token sign with my business card or fish on my car proclaiming that Jesus might be my king under certain circumstances.

So this morning I knelt in repentance before my King who is patient and kind. Who IS alive, and does reign on high while crafting His dwelling place in my heart. My prayer is that His kingship would transcend my life’s convenience and comfort as His love transcended when He laid claim to His kingdom with three nails and a spear. By His grace I want to seek Him harder, listen to His voice more, and glorify Him most. After all, if He truly is King and not common is that not the least He deserves?

Happy Good Friday to all who know the riches of His Kingdom.

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