John 18:37-19:6  All who love the Truth

John 18:37    Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” 38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime.  39 But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?” 40 But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)

19:1    Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip.  2 The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him.  3 “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face. 4 Pilate went outside again and said to the people, “I am going to bring him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find him not guilty.”  5 Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said, “Look, here is the man!”

6    When they saw him, the leading priests and Temple guards began shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” “Take him yourselves and crucify him,” Pilate said. “I find him not guilty.”   NLT 

“All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”  There are some people who love the Truth. Many would say they love truth, but in real life they prefer expediency to truth. Truth is that which corresponds to reality, but we often are afraid and/or unwilling to face reality. We don’t like to face it in ourselves or in anything/anyone that might bring pain or discomfort into our lives. Some avoid facing the truth about the condition of their marriage, or their health, or their use of time, or money. They may say they would like things to be better, but they are unwilling to face their own choices and take responsibility for making difficult changes..

Pilate did not want to face truth. Three times he declared Jesus was not guilty, but he still had him scourged and gave in to the will of the mob – who gave in to the manipulation of their leaders who also were afraid of the truth. The Jewish leaders  did not want to lose their positions of power and privilege.

Lord, You sent the Holy Spirit who is called The Spirit of Truth, who will guide us into all truth. We grieve and quench the HS when we resist the light He shines. You said we sometimes prefer darkness to light, because our deeds are evil and we don’t want to be exposed – even to ourselves. Help me walk in the Light, and let it shine into every area of my thoughts and actions. I have had times of guilt and distance from You because of my thoughts, and times of freedom and joy when I am willing to face the truth. And walking in the truth/light is so much better!

And Lord, let me help others choose truth. Some are discouraged by circumstances and relationships they think they cannot change. I think Pilate was like that, but he could have chosen truth. (Though if he had done that, Jesus would not have died for our sins, and that would have been terrible!) Lord, give me skill to present truth to others and help them make hard choices. You are the Way, the Truth and the LIFE. We will never enjoy the abundant life if we are afraid of the Truth. Thank You that You know everything about us, all our fears and sinful thoughts, and You have already provided forgiveness and acceptance. Help me/us enjoy that and enjoy You.