I opened an envelope to discover a request for a recommendation for one of my past students. The problem was I did not like him. He was arrogant and treated others with disdain. However, he was bright and did good work. And so I wrote about his talents and never mentioned his miserable personality. Hopefully the firm would notice not only what I said but what I did not say.
Often the best and most objective evaluations we have about people are not written by the three “F’s” – friends, family and fans. Which brings me to Pilate’s comments about Jesus in John 19, “I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.” Pilate was not one of Jesus’ three “F’s” And we cannot fail to mention the centurion at the cross. Luke 23:47, “The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” Neither was he one the three “F”. We would expect wonderful things to be said about Jesus by Matthew and John. But these comments by Pilate and the centurion carry a lot of weight. They are about as objective as one can get.
How can non-believers write about what a good man Jesus was. How can you say someone is a good person if you don’t believe the things he said – especially about themselves? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” “I am the water of life.” “I am the resurrection and the life.” “My Father and I are one.”
You can discount what I say about Jesus because I am super biased. He is my friend. I am family. I am a fan.
Written by Roger Bothwell on July 12, 2013
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org