Tag: John 18:36-38
What is truth?
Scripture reading for April 30: John 18
“Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But My kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to Him, “So you are a king? Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world–to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is Truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in Him.”” John 18: 36-38
Determining what is true in this world helps us define our world view. Pilate, the Roman governor in Jerusalem, was a person of power in the political machine of Rome. The Jews had brought Jesus to him accusing Jesus of sedition. They claimed that Jesus falsely claimed to be a ‘king’ and preached a new ‘kingdom’ that would supersede all kingdoms. So Pilate asked Jesus, “So You are a king?” Jesus stated that Pilate had stated that, but His purpose was to bear witness to the truth. At this, Pilate asked Jesus a searching question: “What is truth?” Pilate, and many others over the ages, have wrestled with the truth about Jesus Christ. Is He the King? Is He over a kingdom? What is this kingdom that is not of this world?
Pilate wrestled with Jesus’ statement that His kingdom was not of this world. He knew that Jesus’ disciples had fled and had not put up a fight. In fact, Jesus had commanded the guards to let them go. (John 18:8) Pilates’s wife had earlier warned him to have nothing to do with Jesus because of a dream. (Matthew 22:19) In light of these ‘truths’, Pilate declared to the Jews that he found no guilt in Jesus. He sought to release Him, but the Jews demanded Barabbas, a robber.
Have you ever wrestled with what is the truth about Jesus? Have you looked closely at Jesus’ life and claims to be the Christ and King? How have others opinions and demands either helped you to find truth or keep you in the “crucify Him” crowd?
Prayer: Father God, I have wrestled with the claims of Jesus earlier in my life. There were many voices and opinions that claimed to have truth that Jesus was just a man. Thank You for revealing the Truth from hearing the testimony of Jesus preached by other believers. Use me today to share Truth! Amen.
Jesus is the Truth!
Scripture reading for April 30th: John 18, Psalm 86, Proverbs 24
Key Scriptures: John 18:36-38 “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But My kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to Him, “So Your are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world–to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?””
One of the charges against Jesus was the charge that He was proclaiming Himself king over the Jews. The Jews sent Him to Pilate accusing Jesus of sedition. As Pilate questioned Jesus, he asked him directly if He was indeed ‘King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered in a wise manner, stating that Pilate and others had said so. But then He stated that He had come into the world to bear witness to the truth. He stated that all who listened to His voice is of the truth. This brought Pilate to the pivotal question: “What is truth?”
Faith Confession: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Truth and is not only King of the Jews, but King of all Kings. Jesus is the Truth!
Psalm 86:10-11 “For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth.”