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
Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me? Do we ask our questions to God in prayer, or do we ask others? Can we imagine ourselves being in the room and hearing the conversation between Jesus and Pilate? Pilate appeared to be curious about Jesus and didn’t understand Jesus’ answers. Prayer and consultation with others are ways that the Holy Spirit tries to help us to understand also. The Holy Spirit sometimes uses the words of others to help us when we question our faith. Let us not be shy about telling others about our own experiences. What may seem to be ordinary or unimportant to us may extend a powerful message to those who hear us. Jesus reminds us that the belief that is “deep in our guts” so to speak is what will carry us through.
Prayer
Dear Lord, help us to be alert for your voice and not to be shy about telling others about our faith or showing them what we believe through our actions with others. Amen.
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