Daniel 7:13-14 / Apocalypse 1:5-8 / John 18:33-37
Whenever the word courage is mentioned, there is usually something inspirational that comes along with it.
The meaning of courage is the ability to do something that is frightening, and that ability may come all of a sudden, or after a decision.
So, it can be something like running into a burning building to save people, or having that strength in the face of pain or suffering.
It can be anything as dramatic as a battle scenario where the outnumbered soldiers held the line against the onslaught of an overpowering enemy.
Or it can be as quiet as a candle in the wind, holding on to its flame.
These are inspiring images of courage, and often it is in a time of crisis that courage is put to the test.
Hence, it is said that crisis does not build character. It only brings out the character.
Another example of courage is to speak out against a powerful person or organisation.
Quite often, it is only when the person or organization is no more in power or disposed of power, that criticisms come out against that person or organization.
But it takes real courage to speak out against a powerful person or organisation, and knowing that there will be serious consequences for doing so.
In the gospel passage, there are just two characters, Jesus and Pilate. Pilate was the one in power and he interrogated Jesus with the first question: Are you the king of the Jews?
It was a question of curiosity. Pilate was curious as to why others called Jesus the King of the Jews.
Jesus addressed Pilate’s curiosity and also answered Pilate’s question.
But Pilate was not prepared for the answer that Jesus gave, that He is a king, He was born for this, He came into the world for this, to bear witness to the Truth, and all who are on the side of Truth listen to His voice.
That reply of Jesus threw Pilate into a confusion. Pilate thought he was in control but now he was confused.
Pilot was curious to know who Jesus is, and maybe to learn more about Him and to understand why Jesus was handed over to him.
It takes curiosity to learn.
And it takes courage to unlearn.
Learning requires the humility to admit what we don't know today.
Unlearning requires the courage to admit that we were wrong yesterday.
Learning is how we evolve. Unlearning is how we keep up as the world and the people around us evolve.
We may not be powerful in terms of might and strength, but pride is a powerful force that blocks out what we don't want to see and hear.
If pride and might are the obstacles that we have put up as our security blocks against others, then humility and courage is what we must pray for if we want to be truly human.
Deep within us, we want to be loving, kind, compassionate, forgiving, patient, gentle and also courageous.
If we truly acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and King, then we will want to be humble and learn to live as a human being who carries the image of God within.
Let us also ask Jesus our Lord and King for the courage to change, and to be that person who lives in truth and in love.