What Will You Do With the Truth?

It’s early morning. In a private conversation in the palace of a Roman governor, truth echoes loud and clear within the stone walls.

Pilate is the ruler over the region of Judea. He’s had Jesus brought before him to find out exactly what Jesus’ intentions and mission are. He asks Jesus straightforward questions, and Jesus answers them directly.

“Are You the King of the Jews?” he asks.

Jesus responds. He is indeed a King, but His kingdom is not of this world. He tells Pilate what His purpose has been all along – to testify to the truth for all who will listen and believe.

Pilate scoffs, “What is truth?”

Although he responds to Jesus with scorn, the deeper question Pilate must answer is the same one we all must answer: “What will you do with Jesus?” Pilate has heard the truth that can set him free, but in the end, he opts to pursue public approval over the approval of the God of heaven and earth.

For three years, Jesus has openly proclaimed and proven He is the Son of God – modeling the Father’s heart toward the marginalized, the small, the weak, the weary, the despairing. While He proves no threat to Pilate and Rome, His every action condemns the religious leaders who’ve turned a blind eye to His ministry until their own power and position are at stake.

Jesus’ responses during Pilate’s interrogation merit no punishment under Roman law. Although Pilate finds no basis for a charge against Jesus, he turns once again to the Jewish leaders and mob waiting outside his palace.

Passover custom allows the Roman government to release one prisoner to the Jews. In a frenzied uproar, the Jews demand life for Barabbas, a rebel against Rome who is guilty of murder. They choose death for Jesus, the Savior of the world Whose only “crime” is to speak truth to the only one who can legally save Him from crucifixion.

Not even the humble heart of the Son of God can tame the blind rage of proud men determined to erase any trace of His existence. And not even the blind rage of proud men can stop what God is about to do. His Son is about to be crucified as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. The plans of these small-minded men will be no match for the eternal plan of God Almighty to rescue souls from physical and spiritual death.

What happens next is the truth, and it’s about to play out before God and these men to be remembered for all of eternity.

The truth about Jesus is that He is God, Who willingly wrapped Himself in flesh, left the glory of heaven, and came to live among us. His entire life was without sin, making Him the only acceptable sacrifice worthy of saving all humanity from the just punishment our rebellion against God deserves.

The truth about Jesus is that when the time came to die for us, He didn’t shrink back but willingly gave Himself over to the executioners. Three days after His dead body was laid in a borrowed tomb, He was raised to life again.

The truth about Jesus is that His death and resurrection were for our good – that sin and death would no longer hold power over us. He ascended into heaven with the promise of His return at a time known only to the Father.

The truth about Jesus is that He endured all that He suffered for you. He longs for you to believe and to be rescued from the kingdom of darkness into His marvelous light.

Now you, like Pilate, know the truth. And you, like Pilate, have a decision to make.

What will you do with Jesus?

(For a complete account of this conversation between Jesus and Pilate, read John 18:28-19:16.)