Questions from the Bible, Part Three: ‘What evil has he done?’
Ask the question about anyone you know: Favorite teacher. Admired pastor. Committed parent. Best friend. “What evil has he done?” Chances are, you’ll think of something.
If you can’t, maybe that word evil is the problem. Maybe the faults and foibles and failings of the most esteemed of your acquaintances wouldn’t qualify as evil. Maybe you’d choose another word. Shortcoming. Blind spot. Quirk. Weakness. “What weakness has he exhibited?” There you go. Get out your paper and pencil.
Flawed
The point is that every one of us is flawed, broken in some way, compensating for a glitch in our temperament or problem with our upbringing or trauma in our past. The universal prevalence of humankind’s dark spots is the stuff of great literature and the reason psychologists and preachers always have plenty of material for their next assignment.
We are imperfect. Glaringly so for anyone who knows us well. Coping with another’s weakness is at the heart of most successful relationships, whether professional or personal. And if anyone ever took us to court and asked us under oath, “So, what’s wrong with your dad or your wife or your son or your neighbor or your friend or the guy in the next cubicle,” we’d always, always have something to offer.
But the seething crowd clamoring before Pilate could come up with nothing to answer the Roman’s question, “What evil has he done?”
Their only beef was that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. And he had worked all kinds of miracles and brought all sorts of penetrating insight to prove it. He was perfect. And his perfection demanded a response. Claim him or kill him. Give him your life or take his.
They chose the latter, and their choice has brought universal condemnation from the followers of Jesus in all the centuries since they screamed, “Crucify him!”
Honest
But we can compliment that crowd for one thing. They were true to their convictions. They didn’t say Jesus was their Lord while continuing to live for themselves. They didn’t sing praise while nurturing their own desires or doubts. They didn’t claim to follow him while continuing to pursue their own paths.
They were more honest, even if more tragically wrong, than some believers today.
And this leads us to what we caregivers might ponder when we hear Pilate’s question. We claim this Jesus as Lord, but some of us may sometimes wonder if it’s really true. Nothing has tested our faith more than the predicament we’re facing now. How can Jesus be Lord when my life seems out of control?
The disease and deterioration of the loved one resting near us is a greater loss than we’ve ever experienced. We don’t understand how or why it happened. And even if the medical explanations make sense, we’re still learning how to cope with the psychological impact of the losses we’re suffering.
Remember
It's good for us to hear Pilate’s question and remember that the perfect Jesus who stood before him now stands between us and God to intercede on our behalf. It’s good for us to reaffirm that he is Lord, even if we don’t understand how he could allow the pain assaulting us. It’s good for us to talk with him about our doubts instead of allowing the devil to magnify them in our hearts.
What evil has he done? None. And he will not allow evil to conquer us, either, if we’ll simply rely on him for light and sight to follow him one more day.
Read: Matthew 27:11-25
Pray: Heavenly Father, we know the answer to Pilate’s question. Help us remember it when we’re pressed to make someone or something besides him our Lord.
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