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