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.        

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Previous letters:

January 2007
February 2007
March 2007
April 2007
May 2007
June 2007
July 2007
August 2007
September 2007
October 2007
November 2007