Hypocrisy and The Truth
Scripture Passage: John 18:28-38a (NASB)
28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 29 Therefore Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” 30 They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” 31 So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” 32 to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.
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?”
SUMMARY
From the high priest Caiaphas, the Jews lead Jesus into the Praetorium, the residence of the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate. The Jews themselves do not enter the Praetorium in order to keep themselves undefiled so that they may eat the Passover. The Jews have decided to sentence Jesus to death, and they hand Him over to the Roman officials because at that time, they needed the permission of the Roman authorities to carry out executions. Little did they know that they were fulfilling the word of Jesus and the Scriptures as to the kind of death He was about to die. When Pilate summons Jesus, he asks Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" (v. 33) Jesus responds, "My kingdom is not of this world." (v. 36) Jesus reveals that He is a King who came into the world to testify to the truth.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
The first thing that caught my attention in this passage was v. 28. I saw the hypocrisy of the Jews contrasted with Jesus. Here, the Jews were ushering Jesus into an "unclean" place, while keeping themselves out of that place in order to remain "clean" or "undefiled." They accused Jesus of being an "evildoer" (v. 30) when in actuality, it was their hands that were full of blood, handing over an innocent Man to be put to death. These Jews trusted in their traditions and their self-righteousness in keeping those traditions. In other words, they created their own standards for what was right and wrong, and followed this man-made standard as their order of "salvation."
I confess that I can be critical of others when I see their wrongdoings, but God gently reminds me this morning to remember my own sin. I have been blind to my own wrongdoings, while blaming or criticizing others. In this way, I would make myself out to be a better person than others, like the Pharisees. I have created and judged by my own standards by putting my expectations on others and then becoming disappointed if they didn't meet them. I have hurt so many people and pushed away so many people by such thoughts and actions. Jesus had all the reason to judge and condemn all of us, but He didn't. He got down into our mess, and loved us unconditionally by dying for our sin, while we were still sinners (Rom. 5:8). And He has given all those who believe in His name the right to become children of God (John 1:12). These are priceless gifts that I have received that I do not deserve. I ask God to forgive me this morning and I desperately ask Him to show me how to love others as He has loved me.
The second thing that stuck out to me in this passage is Jesus revealing Himself as a King (v. 37). He is the King of kings (Rev. 19:16). Jesus further reveals that He is a King who came to the earth for the purpose of testifying to the truth (v. 37). He came to tell us and share with us the joy of knowing the truth. What is man that God is mindful of him, that He would leave His heavenly throne to come down and tell him of the truth, so that he may be set free from his bondage to lies? How can I begin to give Him thanks? I want to know more of Jesus and the deep meaning of the words of truth He came to proclaim.
APPLICATION
I feel the Lord has been putting it in my heart and mind to spend more time with Him in His Word. I have been doing QT regularly and studying the Bible from time to time, but I feel the Lord wants me to put aside my pride in acquiring and sharing knowledge, and to just sit at His feet. I want to know more of who God is, His characteristics, His heart, etc. I want to know how wide, long, high and deep His love is for us so that I can love others with this love. I also need to know more of Him and His words of truth if I am to stand firm and not be shaken by different circumstances in this world. This has not been easy, I have been pulled away by laziness and worldly pleasures and comforts, but I feel the Lord telling me not to give up. If I fall, to get back up and press on because He is for me and with me.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, thank You for Your wonderful new mercies for me each morning. I would not be able to persevere if it was not for your unfailing love and pursuit for me. I want to love You, and I want to love others, even my enemies, the way You love me. Teach me Your ways and show me Your heart today.
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