Amazement is Not Belief

My spirits were brightened by seeing these daffodils in my garden!

Scripture:

Mark 15:² Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” ³ Then the chief priests accused him of many things. ⁴ Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” ⁵ But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

Observation:

After the religious leaders reframed the charges against Jesus so that they would be inflammatory against the Roman government, he was brought before Pilate. Here we discover another revelation of Jesus’ identity, only it’s not what Pilate thinks. He asks Jesus whether he is “the King of the Jews.” The understanding was that the Messiah would always be viewed as the King of the Jews, but Jesus’ understanding of that concept and the way it would be perceived by Pilate were two different things. 

We don’t know what the chief priests said but we can imagine a cacophony of voices shouting out the things about Jesus that they found unpalatable. Jesus is invited to respond but he says nothing. Now, his nature as the Righteous Sufferer is revealed, hinting at Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” 

Throughout the entire gospel of Mark a range of identities about Jesus have been revealed, “including Messiah, Son of God, Son of Man, Suffering Servant of God, and Righteous Sufferer, primarily through narrative sequence and intertextuality. Now the designation King of the Jews joins the rich tapestry.” (NBBC) Jesus doesn’t deny being King of the Jews, but his ideas about kingship and that of the world were vastly different. 

Looking at Jesus, beaten and bleeding, wearing torn clothing and possibly a hood over his head, he hardly looked like a threat to Pilate. Jesus and his kingdom do not exist to be a political power or threat, but to transform the world from the inside out; from the hearts of people, out to the world. 

Pilate didn’t know what to do with Jesus’ response. As the Righteous Sufferer, he stood in the midst of unbelief and hostility, maintained his composure, refused to respond, and demonstrated an unusual presence and dignity. Pilate was absolutely amazed — but he did not believe. 

Application:

For most of us, the identity of Jesus has already been revealed. We read these passages and wonder why they didn’t see that he really was the Messiah and the King of the Jews! Surely, they must have understood all that he had said and done and seen it in light of the fulfillment of the Scriptures — and yet, many could not make that connection. 

As the world looks on at the revelation of God, there may be moments of amazement, but this is not belief. There were a few hours of beautiful sunshine and warmth yesterday so my husband and I took the opportunity to go for a walk in the park, where there were a few people, and all kept their social distance. Spring is just beginning and it seems that our senses were on high-alert. We noticed the tiny flowers budding in the weeds, the birds singing and the willow trees turning green. The sound of life, from God’s creation bombarded us as we reveled in a few moments outside of our house. But just seeing and experiencing God’s creation, is not belief. 

We are all invited into this journey of belief, but it has to move from amazement into reality in our lives. We may be in awe of Jesus as a good man, but we must accept him as the Messiah, the King of the Jews. We can be amazed at his miracles and the spread of the good news in the world, but we must repent and turn toward God, so that we may be welcomed home as adopted sons and daughters of the kingdom. If we are living in amazement during this season, it’s time to step forward in faith and believe.

Prayer:

Lord, may my life and actions be those of belief every day, and in every circumstance. Amen.