John 18:33-37 (NRSV)
Read John 18:33-37 on biblegateway.com
Verse 33Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Verse 34Jesus answered, "Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?" Verse 35Pilate replied, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?" Verse 36Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." Verse 37Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
Devotion
In the last part of this exchange, Pilate asks Jesus,"What is truth?" One can almost hear the sarcasm and vitriol dripping from Pilate's lips as he says this. Pilate was a true Roman citizen and had likely been greatly influenced by Greek philosophy. Seeking the "truth" was the ultimate goal for educated people. But Pilate had also probably become jaded because of his exile to this dusty, backwater region of the Roman Empire. Truth be told, many of us can feel the same way about our situations. Perhaps it is work, or family issues, or simply the daily stresses of life. And we can sometimes be influenced by the "truth" promoted by the world around us and become world-weary and cynical. But, to use Jesus' words, if we listen to this alternative voice of truth, Jesus Christ, we indeed know there is much more to our life this side of heaven than what we are told by our modern world. If we hold fast to Jesus' words, we can better face those difficult times in life and enjoy the good times even more.
Prayer
King of truth, help us to listen to your voice so much so that your voice drowns out all of the false voices of "truth" that surround us. Keep us focused on you and your love and mercy for each of us. Amen.