When the Truth Speaks - Russ Vickers

It was a very tense moment. You have Jesus of Nazareth standing before the Roman governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate. We read in John’s Gospel account that after a brief recess, Pilate came back into his headquarters and began to question Jesus again. He starts off with a question about whether or not Jesus was indeed the king of the Jews (John 18:33). Jesus responded, “Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?” (John 18:34-35). Jesus responded in verse 36, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” To this statement from our Lord, Pilate asked another question in verse 37, “Art thou a king then?” And Jesus answered him and said, “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” Apparently, Jesus believed that speaking the truth was of utmost importance. 

Pilate of course did not seem to have much faith in the truth. He certainly did not fully know or understand what truth was. He said in the next verse, “What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.” (John 18:38). Was speaking the truth a crime? In the eyes of the Sanhedrin and the unbelieving Jews, that was one thing that Jesus was certainly guilty of. But understand this; that the kingdom of Christ is not of this world. So then, what is the kingdom? It is a kingdom founded on truth. It is a truth that many are not willing to listen to and accept in this day and time, but there is the challenge for people to do just that. 

The kingdom of Christ is the church we read about in the New Testament (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22; 2:19; 5:23-25; Col. 1:18-24; 1 Tim. 3:15). What is part of the mission of the church? To direct people to the truth that is Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). In His earthly ministry, Jesus never lied about God nor about Himself. He never lied about what to do to enter the kingdom. Jesus said, “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” If this is indeed the case, then it is reasonable to say those who listen to the Lord love the truth. Furthermore, they are willing to obey the truth. These are people who understand who Jesus Christ is: He is King over HIS kingdom and no other! 

Jesus’ kingdom was a spiritual one. The kingdom is founded upon Christ and the truth of His Word. Many were likely disappointed that the kingdom was not an earthly kingdom where Christ would reign in Jerusalem and overthrow the Roman Empire by military might. That is not what the kingdom of Christ is all about. Pilate was challenged to listen to what Jesus said and also believe it. We are challenged today to listen when the truth speaks. God and His holy Word are indeed the truth! 

For the Challenge of the Cross,

Russ Vickers