The race to succeed George Bush as President of the United
States of America has been fascinating to watch over the last month or
so. The American system of primaries and caucuses, ‘super Tuesdays’ and
the like, all leading up to the conventions of the two major parties at
which the candidates are finally chosen is quite unlike anything we are
used to in British elections but all the more interesting for that.
It’s a long road ahead until the actual election for the President
takes place in November.
In fact I’m getting quite frustrated that I will have no vote in this
election! As I’m not an American citizen I could hardly expect to have
one of course. But on the other hand the President of the United States
makes decisions which will most certainly affect my life and the lives
of non-Americans throughout the world, so it sometimes feels as though
we should all have a say in the Presidential election.
I can’t imagine why anyone would actually want to hold such an office
with all the terrible responsibilities that go with it. The need to
make decisions involving war and peace affecting millions of people
would keep me awake all night and drive me mad! But someone has to do
it. Let’s hope and pray that the person who is eventually sworn in next
January will have a real concern for justice and fairness for all the
people of the world and will have a sensible strategy to cope with the
major problems facing our world, problems like climate change,
terrorism and tense international relationships. The new President will
need the Wisdom of Solomon!
One thing the incoming President will soon discover is that despite
holding the most powerful position in the world, there are many
situations both in America in the wider world which he cannot control.
The power any politician can exercise, especially in a democratic
county is limited.
In the Gospel accounts of Our Lord’s Passion we see how a powerful
figure like Pontius Pilate, with the full authority of Rome behind him,
is forced, very much against his better judgement to authorize the
crucifixion of Christ. He has to exercise political expediency to avoid
trouble from the Jewish authorities. His power, like that of today’s
American President is limited in all kinds of ways.
When we look at Christ’s Passion where in fact do we find true power?
It certainly isn’t in the figure of Pontius Pilate. Nor is it with the
Jewish leaders. For the Gospel writers the true power in this situation
lies with the figure of Christ. Yes, it seems as if Pilate and the
Sanhedrin are in control, but their power is illusory. Yes it seems as
if Christ is powerless, nothing but a humiliated victim. But scratch
below the surface of things and the positions are reversed. True power
is to be seen in the person of Christ.
Nowhere is this more clearly seen than at the moment in St John’s
account of the passion in which Jesus, comes out wearing his crown of
thorns and purple cloak, a parody of an earthly king, covered in
lacerations from his flogging, bleeding and dirty. ‘Ecco homo’ says
Pilate, ‘Here is the man’. To those present he was weak, humiliated,
finished. But to those with the eye of faith this is a moment of real
glory for him. St John doesn’t wait until the resurrection to proclaim
Christ’s glory. He sees it here in this moment of Christ’s showing:
‘Here is the man’. He sees it as Jesus dies on the cross, and cries
out: ‘It is accomplished’ – a cry of triumph not failure. At his
showing and on his Cross Our Lord shows forth a mighty power, the power
of love and sacrifice.
All I can say is that I’m glad beyond words that ultimate authority and
power lays with this Man and not with any politician, President or
Prime Minister however worthy they may be. As we celebrate Holy Week
and Easter together may we see more clearly than ever the power of love
revealed in Christ crucified and risen and learn to put our trust more
firmly in him.
With my prayers and blessing for Holy Week and Easter.