NOTES for Joh 18:28-19:16
Who manipulates a person, and how? And what gives manipulators power over souls? It would seem that Pontius Pilate is not one of those who can be twisted any way one wants: a high-ranking representative of what today we would call the "center," possessing in Palestine all necessary authority and all necessary power and means even, if needed, for forceful intervention, has no one to fear except Rome. In reality everything turns out quite differently. Pilate understands perfectly that the Man whom the temple elite has brought to him for confirmation of the death sentence is guilty of nothing; at least, He is not guilty under Roman laws. And therefore He must be released. But to do this means entering into conflict with the Temple. Pilate is an experienced politician; he understands perfectly who stands behind the street crowd demanding the execution of the harmless Preacher. Of course, He calls Himself King, but if His kingdom is only a "kingdom of truth," then for Rome He is certainly not dangerous. In the end, what is truth? That is a philosophical question; it has no relation to real politics. But the Temple does have a relation to real politics, the most direct and immediate one. One must get along with the Temple. And a vague anxiety creeps into Pilate's heart: if this Man has become the enemy of the Temple and the Synagogue, will he, Pilate, not become their enemy too if he supports Jesus? And then there are unequivocal hints about a possible denunciation to Rome, which will undoubtedly follow: the shouts from the crowd are not accidental; behind them stand those for whom writing such a denunciation is no trouble at all, and there, in the center, their letter will certainly be noticed... and Pilate gives in. For he is a real politician, a man of the system, and he has something to lose. And he is afraid. Fear is a picklock to the human heart. Love is a key, while fear is a picklock. The key is in God's hand, but He does not enter the heart without being asked. God's enemy with a picklock asks no permission. And he enters those hearts into which God is not admitted. He is not admitted so that He will not interfere with "real politics." Then another enters the heart of such a "real politician." One who cares neither about politics nor about the politician. One who needs only another's heart in order to settle in it himself.
