The King Who Tells the Truth!
“You are a king then?” Pilate asked. Jesus answered, “I am, as you say, a king. For this reason, I was born, and for this reason I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37)
It is becoming more apparent that two of the greatest dangers we face are misinformation and disinformation. Misinformation is harmful because it leads people to the wrong conclusion. Disinformation has the same result, only the motivation is different. Disinformation has the intent of purposely deceiving.
The verse today is an example. Jesus was before Pilate because the Sanhedrin was using the truth about Jesus to get Pilate to give them the expected end. They wanted him to get rid of Jesus for them. They knew that Pilate wouldn’t be able to understand the concept of Jesus’s kingship. They probably didn’t understand it themselves.
Even though the leaders didn’t accept Jesus’s claim, that didn’t change the truth. The answer is as Jesus said. He is a king. Was Jesus a political threat to Pilate and to the Romans as the leaders claimed? As the Gospel points out, Pilate knew that Jesus was not a political threat to him, yet he condemned Jesus anyway. Even though Pilate didn’t know it, he fulfilled what Jesus had said. Yes, Jesus the King went to battle. In the battle, Jesus would suffer and endure death. That is why he came into the world.
Earthly rulers spread misinformation and disinformation, but Jesus the King declares, “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” That voice declares forgiveness of sins and assures an eternal victory.
Prayer: King Jesus, thank you for coming to the world to establish the kingdom that your Father planned before the world was created. Continue to enable me to hear your truth above the sin of the misinformation and disinformation of this world. Amen.