EVERYONE ON THE SIDE OF TRUTH LISTENS TO ME

John 18:28-40 Key Verse: 37

Last week we studied, “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” and we all decided to drink the cup of mission. In this passage Jesus testifies the truth before Pilate. He is the King of the Jews, the Messiah. May we accept Jesus' testimony and stand on the side of truth.

  1. What was the time?(28)
    Verse 28, “...By now it was early morning...” This day was now Friday morning. Saturday was the Sabbath and the religious leaders had spent all night looking for a charge against Jesus.
    What had been going on during the night? (18:1-27)
    Jesus had been arrested and was being interrogated and intimidated by the religious leaders. The religious leaders should have been focusing on writing the Passover message and preparing their hearts. Instead they were trying to kill an innocent man.
    What concession did Pilate make to the Jews? (29)
    Verse 29, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”
    First Pilate was the Roman governor, but the passage says that he went to them. Already we see him compromising. Pilate immediately accepted that Jesus was guilty and asked the religious leaders why? Normally you have a trial to investigate and assign level of guilt, but Pilate already accepted the verdict and now moved into sentencing phase.
    Why?
    Because of political advantage. Pilate wanted to gain peace and favor with the religious leaders so he was willing to compromise. Also Pilate knew something was going on, that the Religious leaders wanted this man dead but wanted to remain ceremonially clean.
    What was the reply of the Jews? (30)

Verse 30, “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, we would not have handed him over to you.” The Jews replied that he was guilty. They also were asking Pilate to compromise his values for political reasons. The leaders had already condemned Jesus and asked Pilate to go along with them.

  1. What did Pilate ask the Jews? (31a)
    Verse 31a, “Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” Pilate tried to pass this hot potato back to the religious leaders and stay out of it.
    What was their response? (31b)
    Verse 31b, ““But we have no right to execute anyone,” the Jews objected.” They tried to pad Pilate's ego by deferring to his position and their subservience. This might be a deferal to Pilate by using Pilate.
    What is wrong with this response?
    The Jews should have not wanted to kill Jesus. They should have accepted Pilate's judgment and believed in Jesus. The Jews in this case were trying to get an innocent man killed.
    Why did the Jews insist that Jesus be tried by Pilate?
    They insisted so that Jesus would be sentenced to death by crucifixion. Quickly and embarrassingly. Deuteronomy 21:23 says that “Cursed is anyone who is hung on a tree.”
    How does this fulfill Jesus’ words in 12:32-33? (32)
    Verse 12:32-33 “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.” Also repeated in John 3:14.

This shows that the Jews and Pilate were just actors in God's play as he was directing the events. John saw God's sovereign rule behind this event.

  1. What did Pilate ask Jesus? (33)
    Verse 33, “Pilate then when back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?””
    Pilate wanted to understand more and see if Jesus was a true political threat. Pilate was trapped between the Religious leaders political desires and the truth in Jesus Christ.
    Why?
    Pilate understood that Jesus had now become a political scape goat. Jesus answered like a true king, by talking about his kingdom.
    How did Jesus respond? (34)
    Verse 34, “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” Jesus wanted to talk to Pilate not as Governor but as a person. Jesus wanted Pilate to see what was in his heart. Jesus wanted Pilate to see who he was and believe in him.
    How did he establish a relationship with Pilate? (34-35)
    Jesus wanted to ask Pilate, “Are you asking me just to do your job, or do you really want to know who I am?” Jesus really wanted to help Pilate. Jesus could see that Pilate was suffering. Pilate couldn't have like his job, and his position was based on keeping the Jewish people under the heel of Rome. But Jesus was a different kind of King. Jesus was trying to teach this to Pilate to save his soul.
    What did Jesus teach Pilate about his kingdom? (36)
    Verse 36, “Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.” Jesus meant to Pilate that his kingdom was based on forgiveness and love, sacrifice and restoration. It is like nothing on earth, because it comes from God. Jesus wanted to touch Pilate's heart with this.
    What does this mean?

Jesus testified that he was a king, but not a political king, the Son of God, the heavenly king. This also means that the kingdom of God is not a physical place with boundaries. The kingdom of God is anywhere where God is ruling the hearts of men.

  1. What did Pilate say and what was Jesus’ answer? (37)
    Verse 37, “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
    Pilate only heard Jesus' answer on worldly level. Perhaps he was impressed by Jesus' testimony. Pilate could see Jesus' heart because of this one to one relationship. Jesus turned the tables and put Pilate on trial to find out if he stood on the side of truth or not.
    Why is Jesus’ kingship different from the kingship in the world?
    Jesus is concerned with the truth, the truth from God. His kingdom is from God and the power is given by and from God. The earthly kingdom are established and kept by force. Jesus' kingdom is established by truth.
    What does it mean, “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me”? (37c)

Those not standing on the side of truth are against God. So Jesus told Pilate that he is the truth. This means we should listen to Jesus moment by moment.

  1. Why did Pilate ask, “What is truth?” (38)
    Verse 38 seems like a brush off question. No consideration of the truth – no philosophical ideas. Just a curt statement. Pilate has a chance to accept the true, but he rejects it here. Pilate realized his concept on truth was different.
    Did he stand on the side of truth?
    No. Pilate made the wrong decisions when he continually had the chance to do what was right and be on the side of truth. Those who know Christ personally stand on the side of truth.
    How did Pilate seek a compromise solution to his dilemma? (39)
    Verse 39, “But it is your custom for me to release one to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?”
    Jesus tried to get Jesus released so that he would not have to make a decision. This would allow Jesus to be guilty but released right away. Pilate thought he could out smart everyone and avoid the issue of truth all together and go on his merry way. He was wrong. Compromising is worse than rejecting the truth.
    Why did he fail? (40)
    Instead the crowd bullied him and then demanded that a terrorist, Barabbas, be released. Pilate's gamble back fired and now a dangerous criminal was on the streets. Jesus also was utterly rejected by the people he came to save.
    What can we learn from Jesus who was rejected by people? (Isa 53:3-5)
    Isaiah 53:3-5
    3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Jesus was not rejected by men's will, he was innocent, but rejected to serve God's will. Through his trial it was clearly reveled that he is the truth, the only one from heaven. But the people rejected that truth for their own sinful lifestyle. Because Jesus was rejected by all people, we can be accepted by God. Therefore we must testify to the truth of Jesus at all costs. Everyone on the side of truth listens to and obeys Jesus.

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