A few days ago, I received an unexpected question in an email from a coworker.
This question caused me to pick up the phone and share my reaction with my coworker.
Now, it’s not uncommon for me to get lots of questions during my workday.
In fact, one time, as I was preparing to leave for vacation, I emailed all employees with the following subject line: Ask Barbara Not an Option.
I then explained in the email’s body that I would be away from the office with little access to the internet. Thus, “Ask Barbara” was not workable during the time I planned to be away.
This email generated a mixture of responses ranging from “good for you” to “what will we do while you’re gone?” comments.
But before I share the unexpected question I recently received and how I responded to it, I want to look at John 18:19-19:11.
After all, this is a Bible study blog.
Responding to an Unexpected Question | A Study of John 18:19-19:11
In John 18:19, Jesus was arrested and taken to be questioned by the high priest about his disciples and teaching.
20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.”[1]
What do you learn about Jesus from his response to the high priest?
Did Jesus expect these questions? Why or why not?
22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” [2]
What kind of response did Jesus receive for his own question of the high priest?
How does Jesus show his authority in response to the officer’s action?
The response Jesus receives from the high priest is to be sent bound to Caiaphas, another high priest. (John 18:24)
28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover.[3]
What authority issue are the Jews concerned about?
29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.”[4]
Describe the issues of authority discussed between Pilate, the governor, and the Jews.
33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?”[5]
What is surprising about Jesus’ response to Pilate’s question?
35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”[6]
How does Jesus show his authority to Pilate with his response?
37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” [7]
What does Jesus reveal to Pilate?
What is Pilate skeptical about?
After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber. [8]
Why did Pilate ask the Jews sarcastically if they wanted Jesus released to them when he stated he found no guilt in Jesus?
How does the Jews’ response to Pilate reinforce his sarcasm?
Skipping ahead in the scene, Jesus stops replying to Pilate. Consider Pilate’s response to this change of behavior.
10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.” [9]
Who really has the authority in this situation? Pilate or Jesus? (Review Jesus’ comments in John 18:35-37 above to assist your answer.)
Of the two, Pilate or Jesus, who was in the unexpected situation?
Responding to an Unexpected Question | Personal Application
How do you typically respond when you find yourself in an unexpected situation, being asked unexpected questions?
What did you learn from the interchange between Pilate and Jesus that can help you respond well in unexpected circumstances?
Describe how you can trust in Christ and God’s authority in your daily circumstances.
Responding to an Unexpected Question | Continuing the Intro
The question I received from my coworker was not challenging to me, although still unexpected.
In fact, I was laughing hysterically at the question.
So, what was it?
- Could you update the Pope’s address?
Before I continued to read the rest of the email that was about updating a church member’s mailing address in our database who has the last name of Pope, my mind immediately thought, “I don’t have the authority to do what I’m being asked. I truly don’t think the Vatican would approve of my making that type of change for their Pope.”
This still cracks me up.
What is my point in sharing this silliness considering the much more serious study about Pilate and Jesus we just went through?
Bottom line, we all need to know where our authority begins and ends.
And as Jesus’ followers, the ultimate authority rests in our trusting in Him.
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”[10]
I pray you learned something today, received encouragement and a little chuckle today.
What encouragement do you have for me or other readers of this post?
Leave a note in the comments or reply on social media.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 18:20–21.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 18:22–23.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 18:28.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 18:29–31.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 18:33–34.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 18:35–36.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 18:37–38.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 18:38–40.
[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 19:10–11.
[10] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 28:18–20.