November
26, 2000
John 18:33-37
Pilate went back into the palace and called for Jesus. He said,
"Are you the 'King of the Jews'?"
Jesus answered, "Are you saying this on your own, or did
others tell you this about me?"
Pilate said, "Do I look like a Jew? Your people and your
high priests turned you over to me. What did you do?"
"My kingdom," said Jesus, "doesn't consist of what
you see around you. If it did, my followers would fight so that
I wouldn't be handed over to the Jews. But I'm not that kind of
king, not the world's kind of king."
Then Pilate said, "So, are you a king or not?"
Jesus answered, "You tell me. Because I am a King, I was
born and entered the world so that I could witness to the truth.
Everyone who cares for truth, who has any feeling for the truth,
recognizes my voice."
"THE MESSAGE"
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1.
"King of the Truth" is a pretty high title. The problem
is in the very next verse when Pilate asks, "What is truth?"
Are we talking about cost/benefit kind of truth where we argue
about the basis on which costs and benefits are to be measured?
Are we talking about absolute truth and argue about the paradigms
on which absolutes might be based? Are we talking about truth
that is synonymous with kindness and helpful for seven generations
into the future? It seems there are many who claim to be "King
of the Truth."
2.
What is the relationship between claiming to be "King of
the Truth" and "King of the World"? How humble
does the king of truth have to be to allow truth, not consequences,
to guide them? How prideful does the king of the world have to
be to refuse to recognize that even the unsinkable will someday
sink? Is it ever possible to have a cogent conversation between
such Kings?
3.
Do you remember what Jesus' voice brings, what the truth is that
Jesus brings? If it has something to do with serving and even
loving enemies then the question is whether or not we care for
this sort of truth. Well?