Jesus: King, Truth, Justice, and Our Invitation
Summary
In the dialogue between Jesus and Pontius Pilate, we find profound insights into the purpose of Jesus' coming into the world. This conversation, though set in the context of Jesus' trial, speaks volumes about the essence of Christmas and the mission of Christ. Jesus stands before Pilate, a secular ruler with the power of Rome behind him, and declares His kingship, His knowledge of the truth, His role in bringing justice, and His invitation for us to listen to Him.
Firstly, Jesus is the King, but not in the way Pilate or the world might understand. His kingdom is not of this world, transcending geographical and temporal boundaries. This truth challenges us to see beyond earthly power and authority, recognizing Jesus as the King of kings whose reign is eternal and universal. His kingdom invites us to a new allegiance, one that unites even the most unlikely of followers, as seen in the calling of Matthew the tax collector and Simon the zealot.
Secondly, Jesus knows the truth. He came into the world to bear witness to the truth, a truth that is fully known only in the realm of God. In a world where truth is often seen as subjective, Jesus offers a definitive truth about God, humanity, and the world. This truth is not just a set of facts but a revelation of the very nature of God and His purposes for us.
Thirdly, Jesus will bring justice. Pilate's question, "What is truth?" reflects a skepticism that undermines justice. Without truth, justice is impossible. Jesus, who knows the truth fully, will one day judge the world with perfect justice. This assurance of divine justice gives us hope, knowing that all wrongs will be righted and that God's justice will prevail.
Finally, Jesus invites us to listen to Him. In a world filled with competing voices, Jesus calls us to hear His voice through the Scriptures. As we enter a new year, the challenge is to prioritize His voice above all others, finding strength, hope, and healing in His words.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus as King: Jesus' kingship transcends earthly definitions. His kingdom is not bound by geography or time, inviting us to a higher allegiance that unites diverse followers under His eternal reign. This challenges us to see beyond earthly power and recognize His ultimate authority. [17:11]
- The Truth Jesus Knows: Jesus came to bear witness to the truth, offering a definitive revelation of God and His purposes. In a world of subjective truths, His truth is a beacon, guiding us to understand our identity, purpose, and the nature of God. [19:05]
- Justice Through Jesus: Without truth, justice is impossible. Jesus, who knows the truth fully, assures us of divine justice. His future judgment will right all wrongs, offering hope that God's justice will ultimately prevail. [29:27]
- Listening to Jesus: Amidst the noise of competing voices, Jesus invites us to listen to Him through the Scriptures. Prioritizing His voice brings strength, hope, and healing, guiding us through life's challenges. [35:14]
- Invitation to Investigate: Jesus challenges us, like Pilate, to make our own investigation into the truth. This invitation is a call to engage deeply with His claims, moving beyond surface-level questions to discover the profound truths He offers. [07:21]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:34] - The Drama of Jesus and Pilate
- [02:31] - Four Key Themes
- [03:05] - Jesus as King
- [05:34] - Understanding Language and Truth
- [07:04] - Pilate's Challenge
- [09:27] - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World
- [12:40] - The Relevance of Jesus' Kingdom
- [17:11] - Jesus' Everlasting Kingdom
- [18:37] - Jesus Knows the Truth
- [21:03] - The Realm of Truth
- [25:53] - Jesus Will Bring Justice
- [29:27] - The Assurance of Divine Justice
- [34:29] - Listening to Jesus
- [37:03] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 18:33-37
- 1 Timothy 6:13
- Romans 3:19
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 18:33-37, how does Jesus describe His kingdom to Pilate, and what does this reveal about the nature of His kingship? [09:27]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus' statement, "My kingdom is not of this world"? [12:40]
3. How does Jesus challenge Pilate to investigate the truth for himself, and what does this suggest about Jesus' approach to sharing His message? [07:21]
4. What does 1 Timothy 6:13 tell us about the nature of Jesus' confession before Pilate, and how is this relevant to believers today? [10:00]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for Jesus' kingdom to transcend geographical and temporal boundaries, and how does this understanding affect a believer's allegiance? [17:11]
2. How does the concept of truth as presented by Jesus differ from the subjective truths often seen in the world today? [19:05]
3. In what ways does the assurance of divine justice through Jesus provide hope for believers, especially in a world where justice can seem elusive? [29:27]
4. How does Jesus' invitation to listen to Him through the Scriptures challenge believers to prioritize His voice amidst competing voices in the world? [35:14]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of Jesus as King. How does recognizing His eternal and universal reign challenge your current allegiances or priorities? [17:11]
2. In what areas of your life do you struggle with subjective truths, and how can you seek the definitive truth that Jesus offers? [19:05]
3. Consider a situation where you feel justice has not been served. How does the promise of Jesus' perfect justice influence your perspective and response? [29:27]
4. Identify the competing voices in your life that distract you from hearing Jesus. What practical steps can you take to prioritize His voice through the Scriptures? [35:14]
5. Jesus challenges Pilate to investigate the truth for himself. How can you apply this approach in your spiritual journey, especially when faced with doubts or questions? [07:21]
6. As you enter a new year, what specific commitment can you make to listen to Jesus' voice more intentionally, and how will this impact your daily life? [36:31]
7. Reflect on the relationships in your life. How can you, like Matthew and Simon, put aside differences to unite under Jesus' kingdom and mission? [15:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus' Kingdom Transcends Earthly Power
Jesus' kingship is not defined by earthly standards or limited by geographical and temporal boundaries. His kingdom is eternal and universal, inviting us to pledge our allegiance to a higher authority that unites diverse followers. This challenges us to look beyond the power structures of this world and recognize Jesus as the King of kings. His reign is not about political dominance but about a transformative relationship that calls us to live under His guidance and love. By understanding His kingdom, we are invited to participate in a community that transcends cultural and social divisions, as exemplified by the calling of Matthew the tax collector and Simon the zealot. [17:11]
John 18:36 (ESV): "Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from earthly power to embracing the eternal kingdom of Jesus in your daily life?
Day 2: Jesus as the Bearer of Truth
Jesus came into the world to testify to the truth, offering a definitive revelation of God and His purposes. In a world where truth is often seen as subjective, Jesus provides a beacon of clarity, guiding us to understand our identity, purpose, and the nature of God. This truth is not merely a set of facts but a profound revelation of God's character and His intentions for humanity. By embracing this truth, we are invited to align our lives with God's will, finding meaning and direction in His eternal wisdom. [19:05]
John 14:6 (ESV): "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
Reflection: How can you actively seek and embrace the truth of Jesus in a world filled with conflicting messages?
Day 3: Assurance of Divine Justice
Without truth, justice is impossible. Jesus, who fully knows the truth, assures us of divine justice. His future judgment will right all wrongs, offering hope that God's justice will ultimately prevail. This assurance provides comfort in a world where injustice often seems to reign. By trusting in Jesus' perfect justice, we can find peace in knowing that every wrong will be addressed and that God's righteousness will be established. This hope encourages us to live justly and to advocate for justice in our communities, reflecting the character of Christ in our actions. [29:27]
Isaiah 42:1 (ESV): "Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations."
Reflection: What is one area of injustice in your community where you can be an advocate for God's justice today?
Day 4: Listening to the Voice of Jesus
In a world filled with competing voices, Jesus invites us to listen to Him through the Scriptures. Prioritizing His voice brings strength, hope, and healing, guiding us through life's challenges. By tuning into His words, we can navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and grace. This invitation calls us to cultivate a habit of engaging with the Bible, allowing His teachings to shape our thoughts and actions. As we enter a new year, let us commit to making His voice the primary influence in our lives, finding direction and encouragement in His timeless truths. [35:14]
Psalm 119:105 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Reflection: What practical steps can you take to prioritize listening to Jesus' voice through Scripture in your daily routine?
Day 5: Invitation to Investigate the Truth
Jesus challenges us, like Pilate, to make our own investigation into the truth. This invitation is a call to engage deeply with His claims, moving beyond surface-level questions to discover the profound truths He offers. By exploring His teachings and examining the evidence of His life, death, and resurrection, we are invited to a deeper understanding of who He is and what He means for our lives. This journey of investigation is not just an intellectual exercise but a transformative experience that can lead to a more profound faith and commitment to following Him. [07:21]
Acts 17:11 (ESV): "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."
Reflection: What specific questions do you have about Jesus' claims, and how can you begin to investigate them more deeply this week?
Quotes
Jesus is concerned to speak to Pilate in language that he can understand, and here Jesus models for us the importance of understanding the way in which other people use language and words so that we can speak clearly and witness a good confession to them. [00:06:32]
Jesus is clearly challenging Pilate to make his own investigation into the truth. Do you say this of your own accord or did others say it to you about me? In other words, Jesus is saying, Pilate, people say many things about me, but here I am standing right in front of you. [00:07:04]
Jesus answered, my kingdom is not of this world. Now, the question Pilate asked was what have you done? And Jesus could easily have answered that question by saying, well, here's what I've done. I came into the world to save sinners. [00:08:38]
Jesus takes Pilate's question seriously, and when Pilate wants to just move on, it's as if Jesus is saying to him, now wait a minute, you have asked me a serious question, and I want to give you a serious answer. And here's the answer: Are you a king? [00:12:40]
If Jesus' kingdom was of this world, then it would be of no relevance whatsoever to any of us living 2,000 years after he came into the world. And honestly, the question of who might have been the rightful king of the Jews around the year AD30 might be of some historical interest. [00:16:24]
Jesus knows the truth. Verse 37, for this purpose, Jesus says to Pilate, I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. Now here is something really wonderful. Jesus is telling us that there is a realm in which the truth is fully known. [00:18:37]
Jesus is telling us that he has come into the world, he has come from the place and the realm where truth is fully known. God knows the truth. God knows all truth, and God knows all truth fully. That is, he knows every thought and every word and every deed of every person. [00:19:56]
Pilate miscarried justice because he did not believe in the truth. You lose truth, you lose justice. But thank God Pilate was not the only judge in the conversation. Jesus said the Father has given all judgment to the Son. [00:28:52]
Jesus is not only the king, he's not only the one who knows the truth, but he is also the one who one day will judge the whole world and Jesus will bring justice because he knows the truth, the whole truth, and he knows it fully. [00:29:27]
Jesus invites us to listen to him. Last word of Jesus to Pilate here is verse 37: Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice. And I want simply to end here, you know, Pilate had so many voices ringing in his ear. [00:34:29]
Listen to the voice of Jesus. We do that, we hear the voice of Jesus through the Scriptures, which is why we open the Bible central to all that we do when we gather together for worship. So I hope that as we go into another year you will make this commitment. [00:36:24]
Make a priority of worship as we gather to hear the word of God and get into the habit of opening the Bible yourself, soaking in the truth that Jesus came to reveal. Don't just keep drifting from one question to another. Listen to the voice of Jesus. [00:36:56]
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