John 18: 37 – 38a Jesus answered, "You tell me. Because I am King, I was born and entered the world so that I could witness to the truth. Everyone who cares for truth, who has any feeling for the truth, recognizes my voice.” Pilate said, "What is truth?”
Application: Do you daydream? When you do it, what do you think about? Do you daydream about being a hero, being a princess, living happily ever after, or maybe making the last shot in a championship game? Let me ask you something. What is difference between your daydreams and real life? The answer to that is TRUTH. When you are daydreaming you are in control, and you have the ability to craft the outcome of your dream. However, in life we find out we don’t have that same control, and in life when we are faced with difficult decisions we need something stronger than our own imagination to get us through. We need the truth. Have you heard the saying that reality is stranger than fiction? What that saying means is the truths about the way things are in life are weirder than our imagination. Have ever you been in a situation where events happened in such as way that you knew it could not have been a coincidence? The fact is what you are noticing in these situations is intelligence or that Someone is directing events in your life. The truth is for all of us, there is Someone guiding our life, and that seems weird. Ironically, Pontius Pilate was in a very perplexing situation when he was judging Jesus; he found himself in a situation that was more than just a coincidence. He found himself in situation where he was somewhat aware that God was directing his life. You see, when the Jews brought Jesus to Pilate, who was the Governor of the Provence of Judea, they knew even though they were oppressed by the Romans, they had the power to influence the outcome of Pilate’s judgment of Him. And, everyone knew it especially the Jews. You see, if Pilate did not agree to execute Jesus, the Jews would start a revolt, and Pilate would be executed. So, Pilate was under political pressure to kill Jesus even though he knew Jesus was innocent. (John 19:6) What was even more ironic was that Pilate was also divinely warned by God in a dream his wife had, NOT to kill Jesus because He was innocent (Matt 27:19). Seems weird, well it sure did to Pilate? Pilate needed help, and the only person who could help him was looking him in the face. The funny thing is Pilate even believed that Jesus was sent from God. He also wanted to release Him (John 19:11 – 12) But, because he did not accept the truth and trust that God was in control of the situation and would protect him, he was unwilling to let Jesus go free. You see we often come to this point in life where we are at a crisis point; where we have to do the right thing regardless of the consequences. During these times God is trying to point to something in us. He is trying to get us to realize the truth! What is that truth? God is who he says He is and He is always in control! As a result of that truth, we need to depend on His strength and not our own. This is truth; this is the ultimate reality for everyone! And, it is this truth that Jesus was communicating to Pilate in court. Jesus said “…I was born and entered the world so that I could witness to the truth. Everyone who cares for truth, who has any feeling for the truth, recognizes my voice. "Pilate said, "What is truth?” and so the conversation ends. Pilate who is standing face to face with truth (John 14:6) does not accept it. However, Pilate is not alone. We often find ourselves in the same situation when we are tempted to sin…cheating on a test, lying to your parents, having premarital sex are all indicators that you don’t trust God, and you don’t think that He is in control. When we sin we think we know what is better for us than God does. And, that is a lie! Therefore, the people who are truly willing to accept truth, regardless of consequences, are the ones who will hear Jesus’ voice and trust Him with their lives! Are you willing to accept the truth? Stop daydreaming and just do it!
Three action steps:
Take the time to memorize John 18: 37 – 38a
What is truth to you?
Why do people see truth differently?
4 comments:
Yahoshua is the truth. I do not know why people see truth differently. But, we are supposed to be on one accord (Ephesians 4: 1-6; Acts 2:1; Philippians 2: 1-4). Yahoshua will reprove us.
Shonta
The truth shall set us free!
How often we stand before truth and dismiss it as inconvenient. For a believer, it's not ignorance but willfulness. That we sometimes share that platform with Pilate is a source of grief.
Oh, reading about how Pilate didn't want to put Yahoshua to the stake reminded me of a scripture that one of the elders always points out. Yes, it was the Israelites that wanted Yahoshua dead just like you said.Matthew 27:24-25, When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." But the shocking part is verse 25, And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children." :0 :| :( :'( Those were some wicked Israelites!!!
Shon
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