December 23, 2010
TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES
John 18:28-40
Lesley Johnson
Central Truth
Christ reveals the truth to us as we earnestly seek relationship with Him and learn what it means to follow Him.
Key Verse | John 18:37
Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." (John 18:37b)
John 18:28-40
Jesus Before Pilate
28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. 1 18:28 Greek the praetorium It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
My Kingdom Is Not of This World
33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber. 2 18:40 Or an insurrectionist
Dive Deeper | John 18:28-40
"What is truth?" Pilate asks Jesus. We don't know if Pilate was being sarcastic or was just frustrated and pressured by an angry mob. Faced with mixed messages and confusing images today, we, too, may wonder what truth is. How do we make sense of it all?
The answers are confusing and varied if you listen to what the world has to say about it. Truth seems to be subject to the fickle and ever-changing nature of man's interpretation. Left unchecked by biblical standards, a truth is easily altered, misinterpreted, slanted, or watered down to fit man's desires and self-seeking interests.
Unable to take a stand for the truth that Christ embodied, Pilate and the Jews banded together in fear, blame, and cowardice. How often do we bend our ideals and behavior to justify ungodly actions and go along with the crowd? How easy it is to minimize and defend our sinful actions when our comfort is threatened. For me, that happens more often than I'd like to admit.
As the mother of two young children and stepmom to two teens, I am blessed with frequent opportunities to instruct and model the transforming truths of Scripture for them. It is my responsibility to train them in the way they are to go (Proverbs 22:6). In those moments, how do I reconcile my sinful nature with what I want to impart to my children? My relationship with Christ is the answer. He redeems my mistakes and uses them for His glory and my good.
God's influence is all around me. I have a God-seeking husband and a community of friends who continually point me to Christ. They encourage me to parent my children with wisdom and discernment from God's Word.
Numerous times throughout the book of John, Jesus prefaces His conversations with "I tell you the truth . . . ." He teaches, instructs, and exemplifies God's truths in the way He lived, died, and rose again. More than that, He is truth! Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. This comforts my soul and gives me hope. Praise God for His grace!
Discussion Questions
1. What worldly lie currently has you in bondage and far from truth?
2. Are you willing to confess a recurrent sin pattern in your life with your community and take ground in implementing biblical solutions?
3. Write a gratitude list to remind you of God's promises that have been revealed in your life.
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Why was Jesus born into this world? What is that truth (see John 14:6)?
2. Do you believe that everything Jesus says is true?
3. As a family, talk about three truths in John 14:6 and what they mean.