Truth is to be sought after above all other things in this world (Proverbs 23:23), yet in a world that denies the existence of truth, we who insist on proclaiming it are hated (Amos 5:10). Pilate was a product of the world that believed that whatever power or advantage a person could gather for himself was the only truth, relative as it may be, that existed. Yet, Jesus declared to him that His purpose in coming into the world was to bear witness to absolute truth (John 18:33-40). This is the purpose of His followers today.
I. Acts 5:27-40. Believing Jesus a liar, Pilate asked, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Word of this itinerant preacher from Galilee must have surely reached Pilate before his own people turned him over to be condemned. He sure didn’t look the part, but if he was “the King of the Jews,” why were his own people, who hated the occupiers, so willing to involve Rome? He must have done something else? In the same way today the world tries to either shut truth-tellers up or get us to dilute our message.
II. John 15:18-25. Thinking Jesus a lunatic, Pilate asked, “So you are a king?” If not lying, Jesus must be crazy, yet he was speaking not like one condemned but factually about his spiritual kingdom. He has no fear in the face of the worldly power I wield buts speaks to me as a head of state, like he’s the one in control, not me. I can see that he’s done nothing deserving death, but it’s out of envy that they turned him in. For the same reason, Jesus’ followers are hated today as we are citizens of His kingdom.
III. Acts 17:16-21. Considering Jesus to be LORD, Pilate asked, “What is truth?” Why would someone willingly go through this, even die if truly a king? Jesus answers by stating that it’s his purpose for coming into this world in order to bear witness to the truth. In my position, I only ever hear what I want to hear from those around me or lies to spare prisoners’ lives. But, here is one in power as well and innocent. Because truth is relative in our world today, truth-tellers are considered narrow-minded and are cancelled (Acts 19:23-41).
Pilate gave in to the crowd to keep peace. That’s what worldly power does. But, he would put an inscription on the cross stating that Jesus was King of the Jews. Meanwhile, God’s people are urged to love truth and peace (Zechariah 8:16-19). Do you–even in the face of a world that is against you?
