The Truth to which Jesus Testifies
33Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. John 18:33-37 KJV
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America celebrates Independence Day on July 4th. This patriotic holiday represents freedom, liberty, and the birth of a nation. It’s a good time to gather with our loved ones. It’s also a reminder of the sacrifices made by past generations. The Bible talks a lot about the freedom that comes from God, no matter what country his people call home. As we celebrate America this weekend, let’s also consider the freedom we have in Christ.
Juneteenth (officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day) is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. Originating in Galveston, Texas, it is now celebrated annually on June 19 throughout the United States. Most recently, Juneteenth has become a federal holiday commemorating the freedom of African Americans in Texas; as it took two years after the Emancipation Proclamation for African Americans to get the word that they were no longer slaves.
James Baldwin stated, “We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.”
We filter through the lens of our experiences how our faith speaks to our circumstances.
We celebrate all kinds of freedom on Independence Day, but the possibility of our real freedom comes in the truth to which Jesus testifies.
Jesus says, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples. Then will you know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
Jesus said of himself, “I am the way the truth and the life.” John 14:6
Jesus in his high priestly prayer prays, “Sanctify them in your truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17
Being on trial and questioned by Pilate, Jesus says, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” John 18:37
Consider what it means to have the truth to which Jesus testifies determine the truth that you embrace and practice.
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33Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? John 18:33-35
This is part of John’s account of Jesus’ trial before Pilate. Pilate has met with those seeking Jesus’ death outside his “headquarters”. He has asked: “What charge, valid in Roman law, do you have to bring against him?” (John18:29). John18:30 depicts that they have none to propose. Pilate refuses to get involved by telling them to try him under Jewish law. They then make it obvious that they seek Jesus’ death.
We are living in a time of conspiracies and disinformation, which creates an atmosphere of chaos by promoting doubt and disbelief. Recognizing disinformation is essential so that you are not disillusioned, deluded, or distracted.
What does it mean to be "in the world" when we belong to God? Of course, it means our ultimate allegiance and loyalty – and our love and devotion are given to God rather than any other person, thing, or power that tries to claim primacy over God. This kind of love for God is the opposite of idolatry. We are prone as humans to be driven to idols out of fear, out of wanting to belong. Look at the political theater that is taking place today with all sorts of absurdities and foolishness promoting reckless lunacy or shenanigans, dishonest activity or maneuvering.
We do belong to One who is a good shepherd who calls us to follow him. Jesus says, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples. Then will you know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
We can only hope that we'll recognize his voice and continue in his word; for only then can we know the truth that will set us free. It has been stated by Eugene Peterson so beautifully, "Everyone who cares for truth, who has any feeling for the truth, recognizes Jesus’ voice." The truth is something we have a feeling for, a longing for, and we hope that the powers-that-be don't block our way to that truth. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6
Consider what it might mean to defend yourself when unjustly put on trial.
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36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. John 18:36-37
The truth to which Jesus testifies is facing the truth about ourselves.
Walter Brueggemann hears in John's Gospel who Jesus really is: “Jesus isn't the one on trial today, but each one of us is called to testify and perhaps, to be on trial ourselves about what we believe about Jesus.” What do we really say and believe about Jesus? Scott Black Johnston reminds us that the reign of Jesus isn't over territory or peoples but over the truth to which people belong. “A way of being in the world with faith, hope and love that acts out in sacrifice, suffering and service; a way of being in the world that radically alters people for the better, redeems life from destructive activity and behavior that diminishes the quality and value of persons.” The reign of Jesus is about those who believe in him living in them depicting and reflecting the life of the One with whom they are aligned and loyal.
There is the truth about Jesus and then there's the truth about ourselves that we must face. Jesus causes us to examine our lives carefully and honestly. The role of the church in our lives is one important way that a loving God helps us to carry on this lifelong self-examination, this thoughtful and prayerful self-awareness that should not lead to self-absorption or obsessive guilt. Instead, the church offers a place of nurture and honesty with loving encouragement to grow deeper in our faith, to immerse ourselves more deeply in the grace of God, to listen more closely to the call of the still speaking God in each of our lives.
Consider what truth to which you belong; whether it is the same truth to which Jesus testifies as a way of being in the world that alters people for the better, redeems life from destructive activity or behavior that devalues the humanity of people.
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36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. John 18:36-37
The truth to which Jesus testifies is that we live in a world of illusions that is seductive.
We live in what Walter Brueggemann calls “a seduced world,” (one thinks of the way a seduced world wanders away, like lost sheep). We pray that we might find the right words - and actions - to express the truth of our lives and the truth of who Jesus Christ is in our lives. Brueggemann's offers this prayer: "Give us courage to depart from the pretend world of euphemism, to call things by their right name, to use things for their right use, to love our neighbor as you love us."
Jesus said, “To this end have I been born and to this end have I come into the world, that I might bear witness to the truth.” There is an absolute reality. God's way of thinking about things is the closest we can make of the concept of "truth per se.” We have all that the eternal God thinks concerning humanity and concerning the failure of humanity to realize God's idea of what we have the capacity and potential of being. We have all the absolute facts about how we are either seduced by competing desires, interests and motivations that are selfishly determining and guiding what we want to believe. The reality of the current circumstances communally, economically, politically, racially, fostered by disinformation, and misinformation has the potential of shaping false reality under the guise of conviction and principle.
The interchange between Pilate and Jesus is intriguing to say the least. The role of Pilate is particularly interesting as it depicts a person confronted with a critical decision who has instincts in one direction but is pressured by the circumstances to move reluctantly in the opposite direction. Pilate begins the trial as a judge, the figure of authority and even late in the drama still thinks he retains such power. But Pilate is increasingly robbed of his power and is boxed into a corner so that he yields. Jesus is the one with the real power. Pilate, like most power brokers, lives in a world of illusion of power and was mocked by his ultimate lack of power.
Consider what it means to be disengaged from the pretend world, where we understate reality to suit what we want to perpetuate, when confronted with the critical decision about truth.
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36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. John 18:36-37
The term “mob mentality” is used to refer to unique behavioral characteristics that emerge when people are in large groups. It is often used in a negative sense, because the term “mob” typically conjures up an image of an aggressive, chaotic group of people. Herd mentality, mob mentality and pack mentality, also lesser known as gang mentality, describes how people can be influenced by their peers to adopt certain behaviors on a largely emotional, rather than rational, basis.
We are called to be moral people in an immoral society. There is a distinction that must be drawn between moral and social behavior of individuals and groups, including nations, and economic classes. Individuals are able to overcome their egotism, transcend themselves, their interests and consider others. Groups, however, lack this capacity. This is a result of collective egoism in which individuals sublimate their individual egos into the group, but the group re-expresses this egoism at a higher level causing chaotic conflict.
The truth to which Jesus testifies confronts us with what we believe, what we fear, and our allegiance and loyalty. Jesus testifies to the truth about all of us. Jesus testifies to the truth about what we believe. Jesus testifies to the truth about our fears. Jesus testifies to the truth about our allegiance. The conversation with Pilate clearly reveals something disturbing about human nature. Whether you find fault or not you can be persuaded to go against your better judgment. You can be misled by others. You can be accosted into doing what you are afraid of not doing. There are always those behind the scenes that do their best to manipulate the outcome to their advantage at the expense of someone else. The reality with which we live reveals the truth to which Jesus testifies.
Consider what it means to be persuaded to go against your better judgement to go along to get along with a group.
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36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. John 18:36-37
There are few stories in the whole of the bible told with such finesse and power as John's narrative of Jesus before Pilate. This passage occurs as one scene in this intriguing interchange which includes not only Jesus and Pilate but also the religious authorities. The narrator explains that the religious authorities did not want to enter Pilate's headquarters so as to avoid ritual defilement, since the Passover was near. So religious and pious are these leaders who are scheming to do away with Jesus; God's agent in creation, the Messiah, the King of Israel!
Jesus wants to talk about "truth," an utterly strange topic to Pilate and to most imperial figures. He operates in a carefully maintained world of illusion and the presence of one whose mission is to strip away the illusions and point to what is really real poses an enormous threat. "Disillusionment" is precisely what Pilate needs to maintain in order to sustain himself.
Truth is always threatening, particularly so when the one in our midst is the way, the truth, and the life, (John 14:6). Jesus’ very presence calls into question the many erroneous perceptions on which our worlds are constructed. At the same time, Jesus is the Life-giver, and he gives it abundantly. Jesus said, “I came that they might have life and life abundantly.” John 10:10
Consider what it means to have your erroneous perceptions about life questioned by the One who came that you might have life and have it more abundantly.
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36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. John 18:36-37
Jesus bears witness to the truth that the politics of a nation can be influenced by false information.
Jesus bears witness to the truth that individuals can be co-opted into going along to get along.
Jesus bears witness to the truth that your decision determines your destiny.
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Conclusion
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace / Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; / where there is despair, hope; / where there is darkness, light; / and where there is sadness, joy. / O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; / to be understood as to understand; / to be loved as to love. / For it is in giving that we receive; / it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; / and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
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