Posted on 03/29/2013 7:49:44 PM PDT by Salvation
A product of the Roman military, Pilate is a "results-oriented" ruler who finds himself in a most uncomfortable situation; he must determine Christ's fate. Should he give the enemies of Christ the blood they desire? Should he stand up for the rights of an innocent man? A pragmatic man to whom everything is relative, he simply does not know. His political skills face a moral dilemma and come up wanting. For Pilate, the ends justify the means. He wants to keep peace, to prevent civil unrest. In his final analysis, the death of an innocent man is an acceptable price to achieve his goal. Are there Pilates in our own time? The film compels us to ask whether there are Pilates in our world today. We have all seen and heard politicians say and do just about anything in the hope of getting votes. In the 2004 election cycle, some candidates have openly stated that their views will reflect the wishes of the majority, even if those wishes run counter to their personal moral or religious beliefs. Like Pilate, they hope to give the people what they want. Corporate executives face the pressure of meeting shareholder expectations, and face the personal temptation of throwing out ethics to maximize personal financial gain. Some have given into these pressures and temptations by misstating financial statements, and in some cases eliminating jobs with little consideration for the value and dignity every person deserves. A little Pilate in all of us? In the movie, Pilate is torn. He thinks Jesus is innocent. His wife, Claudia, tells him that Jesus is a holy man and should not be punished. Jesus has many supporters, who will be angry if he is harmed. On the other hand, the church leaders want Jesus to be crucified; if they are not placated, Pilate might have a revolt on his hands. And a revolt would displease Pilate's boss, Tiberius. How often in our lives do we place strategic objectives such as power, money, or even the desire to be popular ahead of truth and doing what is morally correct? The Roman Governor doesn't turn to the law or a moral code of right or wrong to help him. He sits and hangs his head, asking "what is truth?" He hasn't a clue. Pilate truly is between a rock and a hard place. And without a sense of truth, he tries everything he can think of to weasel out of a decision. He sends Christ to Herod; Herod sends him back. He scourges him; the crowd asks for more. He offers to release him; the crowd wants Barabbas freed. In our lives do we at times place too much importance on pleasing others, instead of focusing on the truth and doing what is morally correct? Pilate washes his hands, literally, of the affair. But he looks to be a broken man. Deep within, he knows that he cannot escape his part in Jesus' fate. Washing his hands will not bring him peace, will not erase the pain he feels, will not bring him closer to the definition of truth. He feels the emptiness we all feel when we make a decision without relying on the truth, without determining what is right and sticking with it. Like Pilate, we can decide to make a decision that seems to maintain the peace. But if it isn't based on the truth, can it really give us peace in the long run?
Definitions Truth- John 18: 37 "For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice." THE SPLENDOR OF TRUTH shines forth in the works of the Creator and, in a special way, in man, created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1:26). Truth enlightens man's intelligence and shapes his freedom, leading him to know and love the Lord. Hence the Psalmist prays: "Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord" (Ps 4:6). Veritatis Splendor
Facilitator's Guide: Pilate: What is truth? "The Passion of the Christ" The purpose of this unit is to:
Prayer: Lord, gives us the strength that Pilate lacked, the strength to seek Your truth and act in harmony with it. May we have the courage to do the right thing, even when it is not the popular thing. Discussion Questions Personal Reflections/Writing
Resolution IdeasPilate: What is truth? in "The Passion of the Christ"
The Pontius Pilate of "The Passion of the Christ" is a more multi-dimensional man than traditionally portrayed in film.
Not just a mean-spirited bureaucrat, he is an all-too-human proxy for modern man. Sadly, we may see a little of Pilate in ourselves.
Just goes to show you that post-modernism was alive and well 2000 years ago.
I never watched the movie.Mel based much of the movie on Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich’s: “The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”book.I read that book and liked it so much didn’t want to watch the movie.It is free online.
http://www.catholicplanet.com/ebooks/Dolorous-Passion.pdf
Watched Ben Hur this past week and its interesting to see how Pilate is portrayed in that film.
Have a blessed Easter!
Thanks Northern Yankee,Blessed Easter to you too ((((Hugs))))
One of my all time favorite films!!! I still grip the armrests in this scene:
And the ship galley's scene with the rhythmic beat of hammer to block ... "ramming speed!" However, my favorite scene remains this one:
Fabulous - CLASSIC - film. And Charlton Heston remains one of the best actors in Hollywood history. Here is my Moses!
Easter blessings to you and yours!
Having watched the miniseries on the Bible, and in a special way, the scenes on the life of Christ, I could not help but compare the two presentations of Piliate.
And yes, I have the book version of the “Passion Of The Christ” as well as the movie.
Wow, I got an education in ancient history today!
The question that I have is why did the Jewish people not see and accept Jesus as God after he rose from the dead?
I realize many Jews became followers of Christ and there were corrupt Jewish leaders at the time of Christ.
This seems a logical and spirtual question that every Jew should ask himself.
Indeed!
**What it truth? - Gods word is truth. The only truth.**
Great post!
I can’t answer your question either, other than saying that there are many Jews for Jesus now.
I agree. Good post! There’s a lot more about truth in that Gospel (see chapter 8). God is even referred to as the TRUTHFUL ONE. Then, Jesus goes on to have an interesting discussion with the Pharisees or the Jewish leaders (can’t remember)about His Father. They had all claimed that Abraham was their Father and Jesus tells them it is not so and further explains to them that their Father is actually the Father of LIES...because they do not love Him, whom the Father has sent.
It’s a profound description of reality...which they do not want to accept. I see the same thing happening today as people only want to see their own personal idea of what truth is (everything relative)....compared to the actual reality of TRUTH.
My favorite scene in Ben Hur, along the scene where Jesus gives water to Judah Ben Hur, is the crucifixion scene. The healing of Judah's sister and mother amidst the storm tears me up. Judah recounting the sword being taken out of his hand, figuratively, at the foot of the cross is breathtaking.
And the scene at the end as the Shepherd takes the flock of sheep past Golgotha, at sunrise is priceless.
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