The portion of the Bible we are about to read tells me why Jesus gave this testimony to Pilate when He was arrested. His words are truth, and who else can claim the same. John 18:36 and 37, tells His story like it is. But, did Pilate really believe it? The Jews didn't want to! And today's world isn't much different. They believe as the Jews did then. What they thought, they did, for the benefit of themselves.
John 18:36,37 as follows: "Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
"You are a king then!" said Pilate.
Jesus answered, "You are right in saying, "I am a king." In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
These are the words that penetrate my mind. He could have saved His life if He had not spoken the truth.
Study: "Pilate asked Jesus a straightforward question, and Jesus answered clearly. Jesus is a King, but a king whose kingdom is not of this world. There seems to be a question in Pilate's mind that Jesus spoke the truth and was innocent of any crime. It also seems apparent that while recognizing the truth, Pilate chose to reject it. It is a tragedy when we fail to recognize the truth. It is a greater tragedy when we recognize the truth but fail to heed it."
More Study: "Pilate was cynical; he thought all truth was relative. To many government officials, truth was whatever the majority agreed with or whatever advanced their own personal power and political goals. When there is no basis for truth, there is no basis for moral right and wrong. Justice becomes whatever works or whatever helps those in power. In Jesus, and His Word, we have a standard for the truth and for our moral behavior."
Our government may still be the greatest in the world, but I think we have seen some cracks in its perfection and it helps to have a standard other than our country's. That is why I choose the Bible, for it was the Bible that inspired our first leaders!
I hope this story of Jesus and Pontius Pilate helps you understand the role Jesus played in
covering the sins of the world by being crucified. The minute Jesus died our sinfulness was paid for! The Father could earlier see that nothing short of our death would cover the sinfulness of our world, including you and me. But, He loved us. Yes, He loved us so much that He thought it better that His Son would handle it. And He did, much better than you and I. How can we not love Him for HIs tragic death? Do we not owe Him our love in return?
I pray for you to agree, and for your heart to sing praises to Him who loved beyond any love that we have ever known.
Let Him be your Friend! He will always be there for you whenever you speak His Name.
He's my Friend, too! Even in MN.
Jo of MN
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