Jesus says nothing in response, and Pilate’s question is left hanging — an open query in the middle of John’s rendering of the Passion. I have always thought of Pilate’s question as a kind of wink from God, a sly aside to the audience that says, in effect, “Be careful of anyone who thinks he has all the answers; only I do.” The search for truth — about the visible and the invisible — is perhaps the most fundamental of human undertakings, ranking close behind the quests for warmth, food and a mate.

The real reason I am always perplexed by (and attracted to) Christianity as a discipline and a worldview goes back to this question and the stirring absence that follows it being asked by Pilate.

It’s an amazing revelation and/or attempt by humanity to understand exactly what is going on there/here.

I’ve always viewed the Gospels and Scripture (not just of the Christian flavor) as an attempt to come to grips with this question. For us Christians that means defining exactly what a Messiah or a Kingdom of God might mean post-Easter (including all the ambiguities, inconsistencies and uncomfortable relativisms that encompasses).

It’s not an area to be tread lightly as there are many more landmines than Easter eggs to be had.

Still miles to go before we sleep…