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John 18:37

37Then 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."


Governor Pilate was trying to see if there was any substance to Jesus accusers' charge of subversion. He was trying to discover Jesus' motives. Was it to become a king? Jesus saved Pilate the trouble and got right to the point. He declared that He had come into the world to testify to the truth. That was the one thing all humanity so desperately needed. Even the Jews, God's chosen people in covenant with Him, had become confused about the nature and desire of God. Sinful man could never know God without His direct intervention. God needed to come and demonstrate truth in a human life so that truth would be obvious to anyone really seeking it. Jesus' life bore witness to the truth.

Then Jesus made one of those claims that only He can make: "Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." Pilate demonstrated his lack of understanding a moment before by asking, "What is truth?" Truth was staring him in the face. He was not on the side of truth or he would have listened to Jesus. Pilate was out for himself. He turned away from the witness of God that spoke directly to his soul.

At some time in every life there is a confrontation with the truth. The witness of truth brings us to a decision point. Those who are of the truth will hear Jesus' voice in the Gospels, through His servants, or directly from the Holy Spirit. Then we must decide if we will begin by our lives and words to testify to the truth. If we begin to follow the Master's lead as we listen to His voice, our lives will testify to the truth by our actions and words.

Prayer: Lord, please help me to consistently testify to the truth of Your love, grace, holiness and justice. Help me listen to Your voice and follow You.