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Calvary
Episcopal Church
Memphis, Tennessee
THE
CHRONICLE
The Third Sunday after Easter
April 14, 2002
Volume 47, No.15
What
is Truth?
From
time to time, the History Channel runs a series entitled Mysteries
of the Bible. The series I find quite superb and is sound in Biblical
scholarship. Recently, I happened to catch an episode in which they were
airing the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Most of what I saw and heard, I
had already known. The story of detailing the life of Jesus Christ has
remained unchanged for almost 2,000 years, so I did not expect to see
or hear anything out of the ordinary.
At
the end of each series, Jack Perkins narrates with final thoughts and
closing comments. At the end of this particular episode, Jack made a startling
statement that most Christians, including myself, had never heard. Jack
commented that there is a belief in some arenas of the Christian Church
in the East, that after Pontius Pilate sentenced Jesus to death, he was
so grieved by the wrongdoing, that he is said to have converted to Christianity.
It
is further said that Pilate, after having converted to Christianity, was
put to death by the Romans because of his conversion and conviction. It
is no wonder that in some Christian churches throughout the world (this
I did verify), Pontius Pilate is hailed as a saint in the Church. Yes,
Pontius Pilate is known as St. Pontius Pilate. Go figure!
Having
mentioned Pilate's newfound conversion experience prompts me to revisit
a brief, but important conversation held between Pilate and Jesus prior
to the crucifixion. If Pilate did convert to Christianity as legend declares,
then one should take closer notice of this exchange. In John's Gospel,
Pilate asks Jesus one simple question, "What is truth?" Could
it be that on some unconscious level, Pilate was a closet believer in
the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth? Certainly this is not outside the realm
of possibility, since we are aware that God has brought many a "Pilate"
to the Faith.
Pilate's
quest for the truth may tell us more about him (and ourselves) than we
realize. Could it be that Pilate earnestly desired for God to usher in
a New World order that would mete out justice and mercy to all? Perhaps
the role Pilate lived as Prefect of Judea was painful business and not
at all pleasure. Perhaps Pilate's own personal life was so engulfed in
a sea of meaningless platitutes and accolades, that he was led to embark
upon his own search for life--ultimately being led by God to seek out
"The Truth." if this legend surrounding Pilate's conversion
to the Faith is accurate, then God certainly answered Pilate's earlier
question to Jesus, "What is truth?" Pilate knows what we the
church proclaim: "Jesus Christ is Risen Today. Alleluia!"
May
the God of Peace and Grace who raised "The Truth" from the dead
give you courage to seek The Truth as you venture forth in Faith. May
God's Spirit be upon you and yours during this blessed Easter Season!
Peace,
Allen Robinson
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