John 18:33
tells us that Pilate returned to the praetorium and asked Jesus a direct
question, "Are you the King of the Jews?" The emphasis here is on the
pronoun “You.” Pilate was obviously curious over what’s happening. He had begun
to wonder about Jesus and was trying to make sense of everything. However, a “yes”
or “no” answer from the Lord would have severely disadvantaged Him. If he said “yes,”
Pilate would have concluded that the Jews had regarded Him as a king and would consider
Him a threat to Caesar. If he had said "no," Pilate would think that
He was not a king after all.
So Jesus
responded by asking him two questions. “Are you
saying this on
your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” He wanted Pilate to
clarify his position. Was Pilate asking Him as a Jews or a Roman? Did he really
want to know the truth about Jesus or was he merely a pawn of the Jewish religious
authority. He was put on a spot by Jesus. In a sense Pilate was on trial. He
then tried to get out with this sarcastic
retort, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests
delivered You to me; what have You done?” Pilate had no clue and was seeking to
unravel his curiosity on what was going on.
Jesus then answered him directly
saying, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom
were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be
handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” What was Jesus saying? He had just proclaimed
Himself to be a king of the spirit realm. The realm He operates from may not be
visible, but the effect is felt in the physical world, in terms of sin forgiven
and physical condition restored. And as a spiritual king, He executes His rule
differently. He has no need to resort to aggression or brute force, which He so
clearly demonstrated, when He chided Peter and told him to put away his sword. And
as King, He is still healing the broken just as He did in restoring Melchus’ ear
that Peter had lopped off.
Pilate was thrown into disarray by
His answer. Had Jesus proclaimed Himself to be an earthly king, his decision would
be easy. He would have easily given the order to have Him executed. But here
Jesus had revealed that He is king from another realm. So He was not guilty politically.
On deeper reflection, Jesus’ answer to Pilate was clearly this: Yes, I am a
king, but a king of another realm. It’s really not the kind you are thinking about.
But nonetheless I am a king. You are absolutely right to say so.
As a king, Jesus came to make His
people face the way things really are. He came to encounter us with the truth so
that we can face it. Hence everyone who loves the truth will listen to Him.
This is the test set before Pilate. Was he prepared to face the truth? That was
the moment of truth. Does Pilate really love the truth or was he even ready for
the truth? He obviously was not. So he turned cynical, by asking “What is
truth?”
“What is truth?” This is the same question
that makes all of us stand transparent before the Lord of truth. The truth of
the whole matter is this – the sinless king came here to give His life for a
sinful world. Everyone who is convinced of this has the truth but everyone who
denies this does not have the truth. We thank God for His revelation concerning
the truth. And we are grateful for the divine enablement to embrace the truth.
So let us now continue to grow in the truth.
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