John_18

Scripture

 

John 18:37

 

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of the truth listens to me.”

 

Observation

 

After being betrayed, arrested, and denied, Jesus faces Pilate who questions Him as to who Jesus is and why He has been brought before him. Even though Jesus faces a certain death if He is not released, He still answers Pilate’s questions with grace and humility. In the end however Jesus is not released and must face crucifixion. While speaking to Pilate, Jesus poses a very important principle.

 

Understanding

 

Even though this has nothing to do with the verse or the context of the story, I have always despised Pilate. Even as a kid, I thought that he was the actual worst person ever, not because he technically did his job, but that he still handed Jesus over knowing He did nothing wrong. Anyway, tangent over.

 

Jesus could so easily look at Pilate and say “I’m totally royalty, and you know what I’m not gonna take this from you” and then magically ascended into heaven. Instead, He responds to Pilate’s questions without losing His patience. He has a full understanding that His life’s work is coming to a close and He is about to fulfill everything that was said about Him. However, Jesus leaves a challenge to us that I feel could have so easily been missed and that entails testifying the truth. After reading this passage I couldn’t help but to wonder “Am I on the side of truth?”

 

Sure, Jesus uses the word truth loosely here, but He explicitly says that anyone who is on the side of truth listens to Him. “Being on the side of truth” simply means you lay down your own comforts for the cause of Christ. It means that instead of denying the Father because you with to say warm and comfortable by a fire (Peter in this chapter), you proudly proclaim the good news and act as His witness. It means when God commands, you obey… NO MATTER THE COST. That’s what Jesus did. He gave His life for the sake of truth, He died so that we could not only live but testify and listen to what He tells us to do. I understand it’s hard and sometimes uncomfortable, but I don’t think hanging on the cross was easy or by any means comfortable, yet Jesus still did it. The least I can do is obey when He asks something of me without second-guessing or telling myself that I’m just imagining things.

 

Life Application

 

Be on the side of truth!

 

God, I ask that you fill me and others with boldness to speak your truth. May we not hesitate in the face of adversity of being stretched out of our comfort zones but instead rise to the occasion. May we mirror Your humility and grace in the face of other’s uncertainty, but may we above all learn to love others the way You love them.

 

Amen.

 

-Allison Khan