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PEOPLE ARE COMPLEX (JOHN 19:16b-25)

REFLECTION

People are complex is the theme for our reflection. People are described as complex when they are difficult to understand or comprehend. We shall reflect on the fact that a leader must sometimes make a firm decision among complex people.

During the trial of Jesus Christ, Pontius Pilate had a difficult time dealing with the Chief Priest and the Jews. He found that Jesus was not guilty of the charges levelled against him yet it was difficult for him to acquit and discharge Jesus because his accusers. The chief Priest and his cohorts were a complex people. First, they accused Jesus of being a King, hence “Pilate, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” 35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. (John 18:33-35) Secondly, they said to Pilate,  “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.” (John 19:7) It was a difficult judicial proceeding for Pilate because he was dealing with a people who were complex and had brought different accusation against Jesus. Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” (John 19:12) Finally, he had to to do their wish because they threatened him if he ruled otherwise.

According to Roman law, when a person is crucified, his charge must be written and nailed to the cross for everyone to see. It is for this reason in Matthew 27:37, we are told that above Jesus’ head “…they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. In John 19:19-21  “Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. ” (John 19:19-20) It is important to note that Pilate indirectly made a profound statement through the charge notice. Pilate was telling the world that the Jews killed Jesus because He was the king of the Jews. Why would anyone crucify their King? This was certainly not enough to have a person crucified but the Chief Priest and his cohort did the forbidden in Roman law by pressing the said charge against Jesus and had Him crucified. It was for this reason, “The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” (John 19:21)

One would have thought that once they wanted the Jesus dead and had their wish granted that would have sufficed and the matter would have ended. They were also interested in altering the charge fixed on Jesus’ cross. This time Pontius Pilate stood his ground as a governor and a judge. He took a firm decision, ““What I have written, I have written.” (John 19:22). Pontius Pilate would not allow the Chief Priest and his cohorts to have their way this time. Pilate during the trial allowed them to have their way but he ensured that world knew the truth concerning the frivolous charge brought against Jesus by the Jews. The truth is that Jesus did nothing wrong and was crucified because of the title “King of the Jews”. This is to demonstrate the wickedness of the religious leaders against their own Jewish native.

Beloved in the Lord, are you a leader and do you sometimes find yourself in complex situations or have to deal with complex people? As a parent do you have to deal with complex children? As a church leader, do you have congregants who are complex or difficult to understand? Let us always pray for discernment and a conviction borne out of the desire to do the will of God. We are greatly assured by Jesus that irrespective of the complex situation or people we encounter in life we shall overcome with God on our side, for “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

In summary, we have discovered that a leader must sometimes take a firm decision among complex people. The decision must be guided by a sense of justice, integrity and respect for human dignity. Shalom.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit guide our thoughts and will to make firm decisions as leaders in complex situations and among a complex people. Amen.