“Therefore Pilate said to Him, ‘So You are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’” – John 18:37
Jesus explained that since His kingdom was not of this world, His followers would not be using worldly weapons to advance it. Pilate, having heard what he wanted to hear, was satisfied that his job was secure, and walked away muttering what he thought was an inconsequential question: “What is truth?”
But it was not an inconsequential question at all. If Pilate had really heard what Jesus was saying, he would not have brushed it off so flippantly. The good news of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone is very dangerous to any political establishment. It puts elites like Governor Pilate in jeopardy of losing everything.
Like all of us, Pilate would have done well to seek to understand the truth. The truth is what makes us free. We are sanctified in the truth. Jesus’ words are sharper than any two-edged sword; in modern terms they are far more earth-shattering than any nuclear weapon. Truth penetrates deeply into our hearts and minds. Where His words are proclaimed, His Kingdom grows, and as His kingdom grows, principalities and powers crumble and fall.
Jon Knapp
Senior Pastor, Scott Lake Baptist Church
Senior Pastor Jon Knapp M.Div. Th.M. graduated from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 1995. He loves people and preaches relevant and original sermons straight from the Bible every week.
Very true. Our weapons are not carnal but spiritual. I did hear a tv sermon where they used the verse where Jesus later sent his disciples out again with a sword–showing biblical support for having arms for self defense–pro 2nd amendment. But dont want to open a can of worms here…
It seems to me that a sword in the hand would skew the message we mean to transmit with our mouth. The worst moments in church history came when popes or their protestent counterparts blurred the line between church and state.
Yes, forcing 1 to believe a certain way or punishing for not believing that way, power of. Church (state) to persecute, execute. Like muslim countries, sharia law. But perhaps from God’s viewpoint worst time is lukewarm, worldly, ineffectual churchn. As for the sword affecting testimony, well, paul said military/ police don’t cary sword in vsin, appointed by god in fallen world to execue justice, punish evil doers, protect rights, help maintain law &order, peace” prosperity. Jesus will comewith a sword, rule with a rod of iron,..