Scripture
“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 I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. -John 18:37-38
Observation
This is right after Peter’s denials, when Jesus is being brought before Pilate because the high priests hoped that Pilate would order His execution. Pilate asked Jesus several questions, including “Are you the king of the Jews?” When Pilate realizes that Jesus is the King of the Jews, This dialogue happens.
Application
I have always wondered what Pilate meant here. Jesus says that anyone on the side of truth listens to Him. Then Pilate responds by asking “What is truth?” Was Pilate having a crisis of faith here? Did he realize that the man standing before him was not just an ordinary man. The lack of fear in Jesus’ eyes, His constant determination, His willingness to die… Those would have been things that Pilate would not have seen in the other prisoners that had been brought before him. I pray that Pilate in that moment realized that the thing that he was living for.. the empire, was not all that it was cracked up to be. That this man, born of humble begginings, was special, and that He should be paid attention to. I think that this is the moment when Pilate decided in his heart that he did not want tot have anything to do with Christ’s death. I think that in that moment, he glimpsed something that his roman brainwashing could not have explained.
I am glad that I know what truth is. I am glad that I am on his side. As I think about the situation between Jesus and Pilate, I can only hope that something within him changed that day. But I know that the man brought before Pilate was not just a lowly carpenter. He was the true king, over the Jews, over the Romans, over me, and over all.
Prayer
Lord, I pray that in that moment you made a difference in Pilate’s life. He recognized that something was different about you. He knew that You were no normal man. I pray that I remember that always as well. I am so thankful that you died for me. I am so thankful that I will be on your side forever. Amen
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