Right to the heart of it
- Gary Fritsch
- Apr 16
- 2 min read
Updated: May 13
During Holy Week, we get this very curious phrase from Jesus at some very pivotal moments. In today's Gospel, when Judas asks Jesus: 'Surely it is not I, Lord?' And later in His sham of a trial before the Sanhedrin, when they ask: 'Are you the Christ?' Lastly, He uses phrase in response to Pontius Pilot who asks Him: 'Are you the King of the Jews?'
'You say so' (or have said so) is Jesus response. It actually hits the ear awkwardly, like Jesus didn't hear the question correctly. In all of these questions, we absolutely know that Jesus knows the answer, and the answer can potentially save Him from what is about to happen. But saving Himself is not His first concern - saving US is.
When Jesus utters this phrase, He is looking, as He almost always is, into the heart of His interlocuters. Not only does Jesus know the answer to their question - THEY KNOW IT, and Jesus knows they know it. He wants them to confront in themselves, what they know to be true: He is the Christ, the Son of God, and they are betraying Him, no matter how much they might hide behind whatever duty or misguided motives. How often do we ask the Lord a question that we already know the answer to? "Should I help them?" "Should I offer my assistance?" "Should I say something to defend them?" "Should I encourage them?" "Should I forgive them?" Jesus' answer might just be "You say so."
As Pilot confronts Jesus, he also asks: 'do you not know that I have power to crucify you or to release you?' Jesus silence replies: 'you do know that I have the power to free you!' So often as we navigate life's travails, we are tempted to lean on our human power and authority - perhaps even indignant that others are not recognizing it. Jesus tells us: 'quit dodging and running and recognize that I have the power and authority.' We should also trust this: power and authority are so much better when they rest in His hands. He will never misuse them, hurt people with them, get overzealous with them. He will never be too full of Himself. As we see during Holy Week, He is meek and humble of heart. So this week, allow Jesus to look into your heart and let Him tell you what really resides there: belief in Him, belief in the Truth. Ask Him for the courage to do what Judas and the Sanhedrin and Pilot could not do: let go of their power and authority and submit to His, so that they might be saved.
Comments