THURSDAY March 28, 2024

Are You a King?

Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
John 18:37

Jesus stood beaten and bruised before Pilate who asked Him two key questions. First, he asked: “Are You the King of the Jews?” (John 18:33). Jesus asked if this was a personal question coming from Pilate, or if he had heard this information from others. In His answer, Jesus told him an important truth about His Kingship:

“My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36).

It was as if Jesus drew back a curtain so Pilate could comprehend that His kingdom was not of this earth; it was a heavenly kingdom. Pilate had no idea that Jesus had myriads of angels at His command. Secondly, Pilate pressed for a more direct answer: “Are you a king then?” Jesus put that question to rest: “You say rightly that I am a king...” (John 18:37).

Jesus straightforwardly told Pilate the truth about who He was and disclosed to Him the reality about His kingdom. Pilate was held accountable for what he now knew: “For this cause I [Jesus] was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37).

Interestingly, Pilate asked another question that has implications for us all: “What is truth?” Jesus had told Pilate the truth. Pilate felt uncomfortable with all he had heard and turned to the crowds to tell them he had found no fault in Him; however, he became easily persuaded by the crowd who shouted to crucify Him.

You are accountable for what you know or have heard about Jesus Christ. Perhaps the truth has made you feel uneasy about your sin. Make Jesus King of your life, and He will forgive you of your sin!

…Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate… He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords…
~I Timothy 6:13, 15~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!