John 18:28-38 – “Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. 29 Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”  30 They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.”  31 Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.” Therefore, the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” 32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die. 33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

34 Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”  35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have 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, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness 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 fault in Him at all.” NKJV

The High Priest and Sanhedrin had only one charge to lay against Jesus before Pilate, hoping to have him eliminated.  They suggested He claimed “kingship,” which they hoped Pilate would only recognize as Caesar.  Pilate did not fall for their antics but did play right into their hands and ultimately fulfilled the plan of crucifying Jesus.  That act, though intended to silence Him and end His influence, only served to open the door to Redemption for all of mankind.

Pilate asked Jesus, “Are You the King of the Jews?”  Jesus’ answer is so powerful that it demands continued examination.  He explained to Pilate and all that would listen that His Kingdom was not earthly, for if it had been, war would be going on at that time.  Pilate was puzzled and inquired, “Are you a king then?” 

Jesus did not back away from the question but met it head-on, saying, “You say rightly that I am a king.  For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness of the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”  Pilate then issued his infamous comment or question, “What is truth?”  The world is still asking that question, and Jesus is still the answer!

As we journey into 2024, let us remember He who is Truth and allow Him to have Lordship in our hearts and lives.  

May God be with you as you go through your day and as you conclude this year!  Blessings!