Why Can't We Be Friends? - Pilate (The Political Other)

Why Can't We Be Friends? - Pilate (The Political Other)



One of the fundamental problems of the 20th century is this posture of “othering” - viewing and treating others as intrinsically different from ourselves. In turn, we align ourselves against whatever (and whoever) doesn’t fit into our view of the world. Othering is not just about liking or disliking someone. Rather, it is based on the often unconscious assumption that a certain group poses a threat to us. These pre-judgments are largely driven by outside influences (like politicians and media coverage) that reinforce our presuppositions. 

This was just as true in first century Judea, as the political and religious influences of the time made Jesus the ultimate “other” for their own gain. Nevertheless, Jesus dismantles this “othering,” and his ways of being continue to have life-changing implications for those who seek to
serve and follow him.

This Sunday we look at Jesus’ relationship with the
political authority of the time, Pontius Pilate, in our series
 Why Can’t We Be Friends? Difficult People Worth Fighting For.