JOHN 18:37

Then 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.”

TO PONDER:

"The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.' It's not just an oath that is sworn in a court of law, it's a desire that lies deep within each of our lives. We want to know the facts. We want to possess the truth. We want to take our experiences in life, what we know, what we have been told, what we believed or what we wanted to believe and define what is true. For when we know the truth, we have some power, predictability, stability and security in our lives.

That's what Pilate wants. That's what we want.

Jesus doesn't give Pilate the straight answer he is looking for. Truth is not something that can be possessed but it is a life that is to be lived. That's why Jesus came. That was the purpose of his life. Not to give us part of the truth. But to tell us the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth; to demonstrate what truth looks like in a human life and teach us how to belong to that truth. Jesus comes from out of this world into this world, to speak a truth not to possess, but to speak a truth that we are to live as we listen to his voice. It speaks to us in the midst of voices that proclaim the world is falling apart, and tells us, 'I am making all things new.' It speaks to us that in a world that is divided and increasingly intolerant 'to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you'. In a world of uncertainty, instability and fear, it speaks truthfully, "...do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.' In a world that says death is the end, so grab what you can now, truth speaks, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die will live.'

That's a truth that I want to belong to and listen to today. What about you?

PRAYER:

Jesus, you are the way, the truth and the life. Help me listen to your voice and live by the truth you reveal to me in every circumstance I face day by day. Amen.

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