September 1
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KING OF THE JEWS
33 Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “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.” 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him. 39 But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?” 40 So they cried out again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber. – John 18:33-40
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In this account of John’s gospel, we hear the conversation between Jesus and Pilate. When Pilate asked Jesus if he was king of the Jews, Jesus asked him if he was speaking on his own. We hear at the start that Pilate is a man who do not want to be caught politically incorrect. When Pilate asked Jesus what He had done, the Lord gave him a more complete answer, but it was an answer that only those in the Spirit will comprehend. We hear Jesus only speak the truth and never beat around the bush. Interestingly, Pilate asked Jesus what is truth in verse 38. That gives us a glimpse of his ignorance to the truth. The ensuring verses further gives us a clearer character sketch of this person. He was a very careful man, ensuring that he doesn’t make a mistake or get blamed for a wrong verdict that he will give to Jesus. So, he washes his hands from this responsibility and find a way to release Jesus. He baited the Jewish leaders with Barabbas, who was a real criminal.
We can reflect on the cowardice and lack of accountability of Pilate in this story. Don’t we also have a tendency to wash our hands of any decision that may put us in trouble? We like to ensure that we are protected and free from being blamed. Despite the truth that is presented right in front of us, we still do not do the righteous and true action.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for believers to be in truth and stand up for it?