In session 256 The Moot Men take a look at Pilate’s inscription. His signage, written in three languages, posted to be seen by all and challenged by the religious community, stands without change.  

In session 255B the Moot Men examine what we are calling the backside of the cross. We join the multitudes who have analyzed, thought about, discussed and many times debated over what happened at the cross. From this realization we humbly submit our take on how to understand this pivotal moment within our human history. […]

In session 255A the Moot Men arrive at the first of cross detail as provided by John. Each Gospel writer provided detail at this moment in their narrative for their particular reasons. Thus what John has provided to his readers has purpose we plan to explore. Today and next week we examine verses 17 and […]

In session 254 the Moot Men arrive at the cross, where verse 16 states “So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified.” When you think about how much of our Christian theology is based on this moment, verse 16, in John’s account arrives surprisingly short and undescriptive. Thanks for joining in as […]

In session 253 the Moot Men continue through this technical section of John’s Gospel account. As we view these final moments before Pilate’s handoff there are four players who draw our attention. We analyze each then discuss.  

In session 252 the Moot Men begin a technical section of John’s Gospel account. What is meant is a slowing down is advisable in order to engage what John is attempting to communicate. Today we look at the Passover, the context for this occasion. How we think about the passover is how we think about […]

In session 251 the Moot Men examine loss, what it is, why it is and how we humans respond to this reality. We observe loss occurring to Pilate. We then broaden to observe loss’s role within our modern everyday existence.  

In this session the Moot Men examine Pilate’s migration from inner tension to melt down. In contrast Jesus remains in the background, the recipient of unjust and brutal treatment, demonstrating an entirely different way. On an earlier occasion He calls it His Kingdom. And His Kingdom is everything about freedom.  

Unique to John’s Gospel account is the extended interaction between Jesus and Pilate. This is no accident. We ask, What was John’s intent? There are numerous opinions hovering around questions of Jesus’s nature, the historical political context and the overall purpose of the cross. Thanks for joining in as the Moot Men examine and discuss. […]

The Moot Men begin chapter 19 of John’s gospel account by continuing to examine Pilate, his dialog with Jesus, his resulting internal conflict and interaction with the crowd. The author provides detail of this interaction which informs how to think about what is about to occur.  

Within John’s Gospel account there is exclusive detail regarding the interaction between Pilate and Jesus. This we don’t see in the other Gospels. There are reasons the author chose to shape his account this way. We, as the readers are intended to see something. Through slowing down, analysis and discussion the Moot Men seek to […]

In this session the Moot Men arrive and discuss Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” We are aware that John’s presentation of the interaction between Pilate and Jesus is quite different than the Synoptic presentation. We are also quite aware of the general perception of Pilate among the larger commentator community. Thanks for joining us as […]

In this session we continue with the interaction with Jesus and Pilate. In conversation, Jesus makes the connection of king to truth. Here we provide an explanation of how we may want to consider what is occurring. Thanks for joining us.  

In session 244 the Moot Men begin to examine Jesus’s interaction with Pilate. It’s clear that the author John depicts a different Pilate than communicated through the Synoptics. Of course there are explanations. Where we focus our attention is on the nuance of this exchange as described within John’s gospel account.  

Session 243 continues the building drama. We find ourselves at the Praetorium. There are three wants being expressed. The first is by the Jewish leaders who want Jesus dead. The second is by Pilate who wants the peace. The Third is by the silent Jesus looking on wanting life for both.  

In Week 242 the case against Jesus transitions from a religious matter to a political trial taking place in the Roman governmental headquarters called the Praetorium. Of course we understand this narrative to have happened one time in the ancient past. But really this occurrence represents what we humans have and continue to do to […]

In Week 241 the Moot Men do a deeper examination of “Disorder” as seen through what is occurring in and through Peter at this stage in his journey. Disorder is a troubling time within a persons experience. But in Peter’s case, in order for Peter to be the Peter that Peter is meant to be […]

Week 240 brings the Moot Men to Peter’s second and then final denial. Two thousand years of us have read this instance with varied responses. Most of us gasp prompted by a caution alert, “How could He?” Our minds our ultimately drawn to “What would I do?” Thanks for joining with us as we examine […]

We have been looking at two types of paths representing two types of power. These two are in conflict and demonstrated in numerous ways through-out chapter 18 of John’s gospel. In week 239 the Moot Men analyze the Cruciform path.  

Week 238 reveals quite the different Peter. We naturally ask, “What would I do if I were in Peter’s shoes?” Perhaps we could also ask, “What is going on within this man?” “What has happened and what is happening to Peter?” These questions are what the Moot Men address. Thanks for joining in.