For a CLEAR Gospel Message click on THE GOOD NEWS link belowWho Do You Represent III
John 18:37-38 “Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" 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. (38) Pilate said to Him, “WHAT IS TRUTH?”
As John writes to us in verses 18:28-38 of his gospel, he allows us to enter the courtroom of Pontius Pilate. The setting is a Roman civil trial. The defendant is none other than Jesus Christ. The prosecution is the Sanhedrin represented by Annas and Caiaphas (Chief Priests). The judge in this case is Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea. The trumped-up charge against Jesus: political insurrection. The evidence: assuming the royal title, perverting the nation, and forbidding the payment of tribute to Rome. The verdict: not guilty. The sentence for being innocent: Execution by crucifixion.
After studying these passages, I too have entered a courtroom. The setting for this courtroom is my soul. The defendant is none other than Jesus Christ. The judge in this case is me. The prosecution in this case is “the world” (Romans 12:2) represented by relationships, a false emphasis on the details of life, materialism, pseudo-happiness, success, fear, a false perception of reality, money, time, and doubt. The trumped-up charge against Jesus is “WHAT IS TRUTH?” The evidence in the case are things seen, heard, and touched (material) vs. things unseen (Spiritual). The verdict and sentence from the judge…
In John 18:37 Pilate asks a question…”So you are a King?” Jesus affirms that Pilate is correct in saying that he is a King, but is misguided in his interpretation of the Kingship of Jesus. Jesus responds to Pilate’s correct, but misguided observation, “For this I have been born and for this I have come into the world; to testify to (on the behalf of, in defense of) the TRUTH. Everyone who is of the TRUTH (believes by faith) hears (understands and applies) My voice (the Word of God)." Italics mine.
Pilate, not understanding what Jesus had said, repsonds with “What is TRUTH?”, turns his back on the ANSWER, turns his back on the TRUTH, and walks out of the “courtroom”.
For an unbeliver to turn their back on the evidence of TRUTH and die results in eternal condemnation. Romans 1:18-19 “For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who SUPRESS THE TRUTH in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.”
Pilate turned his back on the TRUTH, therefore, he will spend eternity in the lake of fire, and that’s a shame, but what happens when a Christian turns their back on the TRUTH? The truth of the matter is that we become futile in our thinking, darkened in our understanding, separated from the plan of God for our life, resulting in a hardened heart (Ephesians 4:17-19). Is there any wonder that there are so many unhappy Christians? How does this happen? Too much time spent focused on others, things, and self instead of Christ! We take our eyes of off the TRUTH.
What is TRUTH? All truth points, leads, guides, and directs to Jesus Christ. If it does not point to Christ then it is not truth. John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to Father, but through ME.” If Jesus Christ is the WAY (and He is!), then which WAY are you going? If Jesus Christ is the TRUTH (and He is!), then what TRUTH do you believe and apply? If Jesus Christ is LIFE (and He is!), then whom are you LIVING for?
What is TRUTH? John 17:17 “ Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.“ Sanctify means to set apart. We (believers) are set apart from “the world” by TRUTH! What is TRUTH? HIS WORD is TRUTH!
Are you set apart or blending in? Have you like Pilate turned your back on the TRUTH? What is the verdict in the courtroom of your soul? What is your sentence? What are you going to do with TRUTH? What are you going to do with Jesus Christ? Are you going to stare the TRUTH in the face and walk out of the coutroom or are you going to FOLLOW THE WAY, WALK IN TRUTH, and LIVE A LIFE AS AN AMBASSADOR FOR CHRIST?
The question has now been placed upon the docket in your courtroom...WHAT IS TRUTH?
The verdict and sentence from the judge................IT'S UP TO YOU!
As John writes to us in verses 18:28-38 of his gospel, he allows us to enter the courtroom of Pontius Pilate. The setting is a Roman civil trial. The defendant is none other than Jesus Christ. The prosecution is the Sanhedrin represented by Annas and Caiaphas (Chief Priests). The judge in this case is Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea. The trumped-up charge against Jesus: political insurrection. The evidence: assuming the royal title, perverting the nation, and forbidding the payment of tribute to Rome. The verdict: not guilty. The sentence for being innocent: Execution by crucifixion.
After studying these passages, I too have entered a courtroom. The setting for this courtroom is my soul. The defendant is none other than Jesus Christ. The judge in this case is me. The prosecution in this case is “the world” (Romans 12:2) represented by relationships, a false emphasis on the details of life, materialism, pseudo-happiness, success, fear, a false perception of reality, money, time, and doubt. The trumped-up charge against Jesus is “WHAT IS TRUTH?” The evidence in the case are things seen, heard, and touched (material) vs. things unseen (Spiritual). The verdict and sentence from the judge…
In John 18:37 Pilate asks a question…”So you are a King?” Jesus affirms that Pilate is correct in saying that he is a King, but is misguided in his interpretation of the Kingship of Jesus. Jesus responds to Pilate’s correct, but misguided observation, “For this I have been born and for this I have come into the world; to testify to (on the behalf of, in defense of) the TRUTH. Everyone who is of the TRUTH (believes by faith) hears (understands and applies) My voice (the Word of God)." Italics mine.
Pilate, not understanding what Jesus had said, repsonds with “What is TRUTH?”, turns his back on the ANSWER, turns his back on the TRUTH, and walks out of the “courtroom”.
For an unbeliver to turn their back on the evidence of TRUTH and die results in eternal condemnation. Romans 1:18-19 “For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who SUPRESS THE TRUTH in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.”
Pilate turned his back on the TRUTH, therefore, he will spend eternity in the lake of fire, and that’s a shame, but what happens when a Christian turns their back on the TRUTH? The truth of the matter is that we become futile in our thinking, darkened in our understanding, separated from the plan of God for our life, resulting in a hardened heart (Ephesians 4:17-19). Is there any wonder that there are so many unhappy Christians? How does this happen? Too much time spent focused on others, things, and self instead of Christ! We take our eyes of off the TRUTH.
What is TRUTH? All truth points, leads, guides, and directs to Jesus Christ. If it does not point to Christ then it is not truth. John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to Father, but through ME.” If Jesus Christ is the WAY (and He is!), then which WAY are you going? If Jesus Christ is the TRUTH (and He is!), then what TRUTH do you believe and apply? If Jesus Christ is LIFE (and He is!), then whom are you LIVING for?
What is TRUTH? John 17:17 “ Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.“ Sanctify means to set apart. We (believers) are set apart from “the world” by TRUTH! What is TRUTH? HIS WORD is TRUTH!
Are you set apart or blending in? Have you like Pilate turned your back on the TRUTH? What is the verdict in the courtroom of your soul? What is your sentence? What are you going to do with TRUTH? What are you going to do with Jesus Christ? Are you going to stare the TRUTH in the face and walk out of the coutroom or are you going to FOLLOW THE WAY, WALK IN TRUTH, and LIVE A LIFE AS AN AMBASSADOR FOR CHRIST?
The question has now been placed upon the docket in your courtroom...WHAT IS TRUTH?
The verdict and sentence from the judge................IT'S UP TO YOU!
Labels: BH
posted by Buck at 10:26 AM 
2 Comments:
The world would be a much better place if there were less religious authority and moe due unto others as you would have them do unto you
These devotions are great! keep 'em comin!
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