READ: Jn. 18:28–40: … that I should bear witness to the truth …
Jesus is brought to Pilate on the morning of Good Friday. The Jews tell Pilate that Jesus must be condemned. Their accusation is merely that He is a criminal.
But Pilate would rather not grant them a favor. “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” But the Jews insist: “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” They claim Jesus calls Himself a king and therefore He committs treason against Caesar.
Pilate cannot ignore this. This deserves death. What a terrible, lying accusation! Jesus had actually instructed them to honor Caesar and pay taxes.
Jesus does not want to be an earthly king but a Priest-King, who comes to save His people without violence. Yet He does not deny the charge. He accepts everything as suffering He must endure, however painful and humiliating it is.
Pilate questions Him in his palace and indicated that he sees nothing of a kingly figure in Jesus. Jesus answers calmly and nobly with a counter-question: “Do you say this of yourself, or did others tell you this about Me?”
Pilate responds harshly but clearly: he distances himself from the Jews. Still, he wanted to know why they handed Jesus over. Jesus does not answer that question but returns to the first one: “My kingdom is not of this world.” Meaning: I am a completely different kind of king. I use no violence and have no political goals. My kingdom is spiritual, heavenly.
These words are utterly foreign to Pilate. But Jesus says: “For this cause I have come … to bear witness to the truth.” He Himself is that truth (14:6) and He brings the gospel of reconciliation, by which people may serve and honor God forever in His Kingdom.
But new birth or “being of the truth” is necessary (v.37; cf. 1:13; 3:3) to hear and accept His words (10:27).
Pilate does not understand: “What is truth?” Yet he finds no guilt in Jesus. However, His proposal to release Jesus is rejected by the stirred-up crowd.
How do we bear witness to Jesus Christ?
Sing: Hymn 21:3,4 / 25:3,4 (2014)