Jesus' Noblesse Oblige

And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “It is as you say.” - Luke 23:3

“It is as you say.”

Certain details in the Gospels carry a note of personality. We are surprised by something in Christ’s manner, sense intuitively what it might have felt like to be in his presence.

Of course, in the popular sense, Jesus did not have a “personality”. Much of what we call “personality” is due to excesses and deficiencies that tend to manifest in groups. But Jesus did not change if alone or in a group; he was perfectly balanced.

And if we mean something positive and deeper, the archetypal posture that is our destined role in God’s design, well, Christ is the source of all such “personalities” and embodies them all. He is more zealous than Elijah, more kingly than David, more thoughtful than Daniel.

And yet we can still be surprised by Jesus, by some aspect of His omni-personality that we have overlooked.

And I find this phrase of his surprising: “It is as you say” or in many translations “you have said it.” It carries a note of noblesse oblige: “I will not say this myself directly but I will elegantly defer to your own expression while answering your question.” It is nuanced, cultured, and humble. One is reminded of the ethos of ancient Japan; he might have bowed slightly as he said it.

‘And the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, [was] not lying with the linen cloths but [was] folded up in a place by itself.’ (John 20:7) The implication being that after defeating death itself, Christ calmly took the time to fold something and “put in a place by itself”. ‘Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ (Mark 5:41) Thus might Sir Lancelot have knelt by the bedside of a young maid.

Christ is the source of noblesse oblige. This is not theological reasoning, but simple observation: there is no character in the Old Testament or in the ancient world who shows inferiors the same care and respect. He is the original Arthurian king, marking his rule by a gentle deference and inner nobility. King David comes close, but only during his flight from Absalom as he forgives enemies and weeps for his city and later his son. But even this is more akin to the passionate ruler than the knight. The Psalms ring with nobility of soul, not gentle deference. We might consider the patriarch Joseph or Hector from The Iliad as prototypes, but they also fall short. St. Joseph acted with an unheard of care and humility, but he never wielded power.

No, Jesus is unique in degree. He elevates authority with gentleness, refines love with deference, expresses passion without hurry. Kings were never the same after the King of Kings.