[:en]Thoughts from “Light to My Path” (4/12/17)[:]

[:en]Scripture Reading:  John 18:28-40

Biblical Truth:   While the Jews could not find any crime to condemn Jesus, Pilate asked Jesus a politically-charged question:  “Are you the King of the Jews?”  When Jesus answered:  “Yes, it is as you say” (Mat. 27:11, Mark 14:2, Luke 22:70, 23:3),  it became the bullet to the Jews’ empty gun to strike Him. The issue became political:  King Jesus vs. Emperor Caesar.

Pilate found no basis for a charge against Jesus.  But when he tried to set Jesus free, the Jews shouted:  “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar.  Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar” (John 19:12).  To free himself from guilt, Pilate took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd and said:  “I am innocent of this man’s blood.  It is your responsibility” (Mat.  27:24).  But in order to keep his job and satisfy the crowd, he neglected justice by convicting Jesus and releasing Barrabas.

Personal Application:  When Pilate said to Jesus:  “You are a king then”.  Jesus answered:  “You are right in saying I am a king.  In fact for this reason I was born and for this I came into the world to testify to the truth.  Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.  Then Pilate asked:  What is truth?”  (v. 37-38)  “Jesus said:  I am the truth, the way and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6)    Are you seeking the truth?

Prayer:  Lord, grant me the wisdom to submit and listen to the truth.

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