John 18:33-37 "The King of Truth"

Introduction

On that original Good Friday Jesus was being questioned by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.

It is obvious that Jesus knew how the establishment of His Kingdom and His purpose in the world was primarily of a spiritual nature with eternal implications.

The problem is that in our modern day practice, life in the world can easily become the emphasis and the Kingdom can become secondary.

When this happens our life experience in the world informs our understanding of Scripture instead of Scripture informing our life experience in the world.

The spiritual foundation of the dominion of the Kingdom was in the process of being established in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And Jesus knew this at the very moment that He was standing before Pilate. Look back at verses 33-36:

I. The Revelation of the King’s Dominion (33-36).

Pilate’s understanding serves as the basis of his questioning which establishes a point of contrast between the political authorities of the world and the supreme authority of God.

The question, “Are you the king of the Jews?” inquires regarding Christ’s identity. Pilate is without a doubt asking the question in the sense of the earthly political realm of the human institutions of government.

Nothing wrong with government but Scripture is clear that the governments of the world are established by God for His purposes (Rom. 13:1-7).

Government is a sphere of dominion and influence in the world. It is not wrong for Christians to be in government. Mike Liccar is not doing anything wrong running for reelection.

Government becomes a problem when it attempts to reject the sovereign dominion of God and reject their responsibility to be in submission to Him in how they govern.

Pilate was questioning at the earthly level from a political understanding but Jesus responds at the cosmic level of understanding: “My Kingdom is not of this world”

At the earthly level, kingdoms battle for the place of prominence. They fight it out because dominions have a tendency to clash on earth and cause conflict.

Authority and power at the human level of government could never be a basis to establish authority and power in the absolute sense.

All that we see on earth is authority and power that has been appointed in the temporal sense. Human government is only a temporal example that points us to the eternal and supreme rule of God.

It was over in John 19:10-11 where Pilate appeals to his own authority to release Jesus or to have Him crucified.

Jesus declares back. “You have no authority over me at all unless it has been given to you from above” (11).

The cosmic Dominion and rule of Jesus Christ over His Kingdom contextualizes the Christian’s perception of the political landscape of the Nations of the world.

There is no rule that God has not allowed or established for His purposes. Rome ruled over Jerusalem in the time of Jesus on earth because it fit the plan and purpose of God and His Messiah King.

Verse 37 tells us what the King’s purpose was:

II. The Revelation of the King’s Purpose (37).

King Jesus came into the world to “bear witness of the truth.”

The irony of this is that Pilate was a skeptic when it came to truth because he questions “truth” as a legitimate concept in verse 38.

If there is no truth then subjectivity takes over and might tends to make right. Jesus’ purpose then would only be subjective at best and there is little consequence for those who disagree with His claims and purpose.

This is the Jesus that the world is comfortable with. He is not a threat to the powers of the world. Whether it be human governments or the perceived power of self-rule in the hearts of men and women.

If the ultimate of authority and power in the Universe is Pilate’s authority to judge Jesus, then fallen humanity has nothing to worry about when it comes to eternity.

But if Pilate will ultimately one day have to stand before Jesus then this should concern everyone who has ever lived for all time.

This is why Christian your faith has to be anchored in your King and that He is a King who faithfully rules in consistency with His purpose.

And if that is true then everyone who is of the truth listens to His voice. Because His identity as the King of glory leaves us with no other alternative.

Truth claims of an absolute and objective nature interfere with life today just as much as they did on that original Good Friday.

We all know the story. Jesus is condemned to death on a Cross for blasphemy and insurrection even though Pilate declared that he found no fault in this man.

The only true and just man who ever stood before a judge is beaten and whipped and condemned to die by crucifixion.

In Plato’s “Republic” in book 2, Plato argues that the concept of a just man could only be proven by stripping a man of everything and then imposing death by crucifixion.

At issue was the appearance of being just or righteous versus being just or righteous by nature.

The only way to tell would be to torture and then execute. This would expose the hypocrite or prove one to be really just.

The grand irony is that even a pagan like Plato (390 BC) knew that true righteousness could only be displayed by crucifixion. Because only such a death could distinguish between one who is truly righteous and the one who is only pretending to be.

Isaiah told us long before Plato that: 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8  By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9  And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10  Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (Isaiah 53:7-10)

Plato missed sacrifice because he saw righteousness as being a virtue to be lived instead of an attribute of God to be vindicated and upheld. Therefore no need for a substitutionary atoning sacrifice in Plato’s philosophy.

Conclusion

Isaiah points to the King’s Purpose to bear witness to the truth in laying down His life on behalf of sinners. But how do we know Jesus knew all of this?

He declared it in His words spoken on earth as recorded in the Scriptures. Unbeliever hear His word and believe the gospel.

He instituted His death in the sacrament. So appropriate for us on this Good Friday to celebrate the Lords supper.

The truth of God’s righteousness and our need of His grace is set before us not just in words being proclaimed but in sacrament being celebrated.

Christian let us examine our hearts in preparation.

Let’s pray! No closed; everyone together; No unbelievers.