Jesus stands before Pilate today and is asked, are you a king? Jesus takes that conversation in another direction. He talks to Pilate about truth, to which Pilate asks, what is truth? Now, we know the answer; Jesus tells us earlier He is truth. He is the way, the truth, and life. But here’s the problem. Pilate didn’t want truth. The religious leaders didn’t want truth. Jesus is truth and He would change things. He would burn down the false securities that they had built their lives on. What is truth? Jesus. Do we want truth?

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Good morning! It’s great to be with you this Thursday morning. I hope you’re looking forward to a wonderful day. It’s getting colder here in Madison, which, as many of you know, isn’t my favorite. Winter is a challenge for me, but enough about the weather—let’s dive into today’s reading!

Today, we’re finishing John 18 by reflecting on verses 28–40. This passage takes us through Jesus’ trial before Pilate, a moment filled with tension, irony, and powerful truths.

Barabbas, a man guilty of leading an uprising, was the quintessential candidate for crucifixion under Roman law. Crucifixion was Rome’s way of showing dominance, a stark warning not to challenge their authority. Yet, the crowd demanded Barabbas’ release, sparing the guilty while condemning the innocent Jesus.

This act underscores the misunderstanding of who Jesus truly was. Many saw him as a potential earthly king who might overthrow Rome. But Jesus consistently rejected that role, often withdrawing when people tried to make him a king. His kingdom is “not of this world.”

In his exchange with Jesus, Pilate asks one of the most profound questions: “What is truth?” Earlier in John’s Gospel, Jesus had already answered this question, declaring, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Truth is not a concept but a person—Jesus Christ.

Yet Pilate, the religious leaders, and the crowd were not seeking truth. Pilate sought self-preservation, trying to avoid conflict that could jeopardize his position. The religious leaders clung to their comfortable system, unwilling to let truth disrupt their way of life.

Truth, embodied in Jesus, challenges us. It pierces through the illusions and comforts we build, asking us to confront who we are and where our allegiances lie. Pilate and the leaders were too comfortable to embrace the transformative power of truth.

But how about us? Are we willing to let Jesus, the truth, transform our lives? Are we ready to stand with him even when it’s uncomfortable?

Today, let’s reflect on what it means to know the truth. Stay rooted in God’s Word, prayer, and community. Let Jesus challenge and reshape you, burning away anything false and drawing you closer to God.