On of my favorite paintings is Ecce Homo by Antonio Ciseri. You can see an image of it here: http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/Antonio-Ciseri/Ecce-Homo.html. Ecce Homo is Latin. It means, “Behold the Man.” As we read today, Pontius Pilate uttered these words as part of Jesus’ trial. He had seen the pettiness, jealousy, and spite in the leaders who had brought Jesus to be crucified. He had heard the charge: This man claims to be a king. Pilate was no fool. He observed that Jesus was certainly no pampered king who indulged in wine and too much food. He likely observed his hands and physique. A laborer. Hard work changes your body: fingers thicken, hands harden, shoulders more muscled from lifting.
As Pilate spoke with Jesus, however, he became aware that Jesus was more than a laborer. Not that Jesus had said a lot. It was surely his demeanor that set Jesus apart. People begged in front of Pilate. He could give life, or he could take it away. He was governor and representative of Tiberius Caesar. He was, in his own way, a deity among men. But Jesus did not. Jesus admitted to being a king, but of a different sort. He spoke of truth in a way that moved even a cynic like Pilate. No, Pilate was not fooled. This man before him was no threat to Caesar – not militarily anyhow. Nor was he a rebel about to begin an insurrection.
But Pilate also doesn’t really care. This whole situation is about what is expedient for him. He has no desire to kill an innocent man, but he has no problem having him beaten and mocked, and while he’s at it he’ll gouge the Jewish leaders. So he makes a public show of Jesus; beaten, bleeding, wearing a crown of thorns and a purple robe. Does he say, “Here is your king!”? No! “Behold the man.”
Here is no king – at least not one like Caesar! Jesus is just a man to Pilate. But here the truth comes out. “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he ahs made himself the Son of God.” Now, Pilate is afraid. He wants to release him. He doesn’t want to get wrapped up in some kind of religious debate. Religiously inspired riots were bloody, and hard to put down.
He ends up giving in – to save his own skin, to avoid a riot, to avoid another bad report to Caesar. But now he brings Jesus out, “Behold you King!” He places the sign on the cross, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” Jesus had become a pawn, as far as Pilate was concerned, to dig at those who had forced him to do something he did not want to, but didn’t care enough to stop.
Jesus – the Man. Jesus – the King. What do we see when we look upon Him?
Jesus – the Man? That is very appropriate. He is the “Second Adam” the man who stands representing all humanity – all men – so that he could atone for mankind’s sins.
Jesus – the King? Again, very appropriate. He is “Great David’s greater Son,” who will reign forever, and of the increase of his government there shall be no end.
Perhaps best is this: Jesus – the Crucified. For it is here that he most powerfully displays how much God loves us and wants us to know Him. He loves us so much that he gives his only begotten to redeem us. It is here on Golgotha’s gruesome height that He accomplishes what he came to do and he reconciles God and man.
Lord Jesus, You are my King, my God, and the Man of men. I worship you because you gave your blood for me. I follow you because you have washed me of my sins. Thank you for loving me so much. Amen.
As Pilate spoke with Jesus, however, he became aware that Jesus was more than a laborer. Not that Jesus had said a lot. It was surely his demeanor that set Jesus apart. People begged in front of Pilate. He could give life, or he could take it away. He was governor and representative of Tiberius Caesar. He was, in his own way, a deity among men. But Jesus did not. Jesus admitted to being a king, but of a different sort. He spoke of truth in a way that moved even a cynic like Pilate. No, Pilate was not fooled. This man before him was no threat to Caesar – not militarily anyhow. Nor was he a rebel about to begin an insurrection.
But Pilate also doesn’t really care. This whole situation is about what is expedient for him. He has no desire to kill an innocent man, but he has no problem having him beaten and mocked, and while he’s at it he’ll gouge the Jewish leaders. So he makes a public show of Jesus; beaten, bleeding, wearing a crown of thorns and a purple robe. Does he say, “Here is your king!”? No! “Behold the man.”
Here is no king – at least not one like Caesar! Jesus is just a man to Pilate. But here the truth comes out. “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he ahs made himself the Son of God.” Now, Pilate is afraid. He wants to release him. He doesn’t want to get wrapped up in some kind of religious debate. Religiously inspired riots were bloody, and hard to put down.
He ends up giving in – to save his own skin, to avoid a riot, to avoid another bad report to Caesar. But now he brings Jesus out, “Behold you King!” He places the sign on the cross, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” Jesus had become a pawn, as far as Pilate was concerned, to dig at those who had forced him to do something he did not want to, but didn’t care enough to stop.
Jesus – the Man. Jesus – the King. What do we see when we look upon Him?
Jesus – the Man? That is very appropriate. He is the “Second Adam” the man who stands representing all humanity – all men – so that he could atone for mankind’s sins.
Jesus – the King? Again, very appropriate. He is “Great David’s greater Son,” who will reign forever, and of the increase of his government there shall be no end.
Perhaps best is this: Jesus – the Crucified. For it is here that he most powerfully displays how much God loves us and wants us to know Him. He loves us so much that he gives his only begotten to redeem us. It is here on Golgotha’s gruesome height that He accomplishes what he came to do and he reconciles God and man.
Lord Jesus, You are my King, my God, and the Man of men. I worship you because you gave your blood for me. I follow you because you have washed me of my sins. Thank you for loving me so much. Amen.
Comments