Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:33-37
This passage is an intriguing exchange between Pilate and Jesus. After attempting to have a sensible negotiation with the Sanhedrin, Pilate steps back in side and endeavours to have a more sensible conversation with Jesus.
Pilate leads with questioning Jesus’ supposedly royal status. Interestingly, Jesus doesn’t come straight out with an answer. Instead he addresses the core issue.
Pilate is being played.
Pilate is unfortunately in the political position in which he cannot but help serve the one above him: Caesar. So if it is found out that he has not taken swift and decisive action on some rogue Nazarene claiming to be a king, he could be in more than a little bit of trouble.
The Jews know this; so they play with their puppet.
Eventually Jesus gives a sideways comment or two that indicates he is a king. He also gives a comment or two that suggest that He is no puppet.
He suggests, even, that this very trial is what he came into the world for, because he has come into the world to testify to the truth. And the best time to testify to the truth is when someone is on trial.
At this point in time, it’s Jesus.
But whilst Pilate is being a puppet, Jesus is not. Jesus knows exactly what he’s doing and is directing all events towards the truth. He’s not buying into the lies of the Sanhedrin. He’s not being directed by them.
Jesus is being directed by God. And anyone who wants to side with Jesus, will side with the truth.
Which side are you on?
Yours on side with Jesus,
Alison
