"Pontius Pilate: What Is Truth?" John 18:38

Midweek Lenten Vespers 3                    23-March-22
Theme: “Christ’s Passion: Revealing the Thoughts Of Many Hearts!”
Sermon Text: John 18:38
Sermon Theme: “Pontius Pilate: ‘What Is Truth?’” by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert

I.N.R.I. Simeon told Mary that her forty day old Son would be a sign that would be spoken against. Jesus would lay low the self-righteous preaching the Law in its severity and calling them to repentance. He called them to turn from self-pride and believe that salvation is gifted us by God in the Messiah - it is never earned. Jesus would raise up poor miserable beggars preaching His forgiving life restoring Word to sinners who had no hope in themselves. He called them to turn from despair and believe the Gospel - the Kingdom of God was now at hand!
      Looking intently at Mary righteous Simeon continued, “Luk 2:35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." It breaks a mother’s heart to see her children suffer, pierces the very depth of her being. Mother Mary would be pierced to the core of her being as her firstborn Son was crucified under Pontius Pilate, suffered, died, and was buried. The Roman spear that pierced Jesus’ lifeless side as He hung still upon the cross - cut deeply into Mary’s own soul. The Truth Simeon spoke brings sorrow. The Truth Simeon sang also fills us with joy - now we can die in peace for our eyes behold Salvation for sinners - He is our salvation - Jesus!
        Do you now the Truth? Or like Pontius Pilate does your heart cry out, “What Is Truth?’
      Rome prided itself on being a just state constrained under the rule of law. Rome’s laws were clear and concise. Roman law wasn’t soft clay to be reshaped and remolded to fit the fancy of feelings of the day. Roman law protected the right of its citizens. Natural born Roman citizens had the greatest legal standing under the law, after them came those who had purchased or earned citizenship, then came all that Rome had conquered and made their subjects. The Law deals with solid natural truth not on squishy moral relativity. Justice can only be meted out in a nation that recognizes the truth of natural law.
        Rome insured justice by allowing conquered nations to handle most matters in their own local courts of law. The native courts were allowed to judge and hand out just fines and punishments. Rome reserved for itself the right of capital punishment. It alone had the right to impose the death penalty - especially death by crucifixion - reserved only for the greatest enemies of the state and most heinous criminals.
        Roman courts opened each day at sunrise and remained open until sunset. They were public courts for all to witness that Rome was just and its trials were fair and impartial. Jewish justice had been perverted. Caiaphas had decided in advance “Joh 11:50 ..... it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish." The Jesus problem would be solved by His death under Roman hands - then no one could blame the Sanhedrin - the Jewish ruling council.
      They didn’t want Jesus put to death during the Passover festival, but the Lord was in control of His own sacrifice. Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver and led them to Jesus. Under the cover of darkness He was arrested, beaten, chained, and brought to stand trial. A quick mock trial was held that dark night. No truth could be found - no two statements agreed that would’ve condemned Jesus to die. Finally the High Priest puts Jesus under oath asking if He was the Son of God - the Messiah. Jesus speaks the Truth, ‘I Am!” They cry out blasphemy and demand His death.
        As soon as day breaks that Friday morning they hold another quick trial before the council giving the illusion of justice - while the sentence had been predetermined - death! Immediately they lead Jesus bruised, beaten, and chained to the Roman Court in Jerusalem. With fake religious piety they refuse to enter the Praetorium - Pilate’s palace where the courts were normally held. They want to eat the joyous festival meal that night and don’t want to be defiled by a Gentile’s house - yet, they have no problem in sentencing an innocent Man to death. Pilate accommodates them. The Jewish historian Josephus recorded how Pilate had a previous run in with the devious Caiaphas - it ended up with Pilate being reprimanded by Caesar. Pilate, the judge, needs to know the truth - why have they brought this Man to his court of law?
        St. Luke records their trumped up charges. Luk 23:2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King." Treason against the state is still punishable in our land by death - as long as it is proven in a court of law beyond a shadow of a doubt.
        Pilate brings Jesus into the court of law. He begins with the most serious charge of treason. History records, Joh 18:33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" If this charge was true the trial would be short and death would be just. Joh 18:34 Jesus answered him, "Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?" Our Lord turns the question back on the truth seeking judge Pilate. Is this from his own investigation or just hear say?
Joh 18:35 Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?" Pilate wasn’t concerned about religious questions. He was most likely a skeptic as many educated Romans who aspired to power. The Caesars claimed to be gods and even demanded worship, but friends of Caesar knew that he was just as human as they. Far from being divine, they were fallible men - often more morally deprived as they obtained power. Skeptics then, like skeptics today, claim that there is no truth. In our day the Father of Lies enslaves the educated to claim that truth is only a man made construct. Satan binds people into seeking to de-construct all narratives and history. Claiming that will free people - while enslaving them into such strong delusions that they can’t even tell the difference between a male and female. Skeptics then, as now, claimed that no one could be certain of mankind’s origin or what happens after death. Best was to get power and possessions here and now and build your own kingdom. This lie still chains the majority of mankind.
    Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." Our Lord’s Kingdom isn’t measured by our world’s standards. The lie is that the Christian Church is successful if it boasts the majority, has ample finances, and power to rule over corrupt governments. The lie is the theology of glory - trusting in man’s works and metrics for success - rather than looking only to the cross and suffering as the true marks of following Jesus.
    How does God’s Kingdom Come? Joh 18:37 Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."... God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.” Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary here in time. He came into the world - the eternally only begotten Son of the Father - to save sinners. To rescue us from Satan the father of lies and murderer from the beginning.
      Before Pilate the Truth stands - inviting him to believe. (Vs.38). Pilate response, “What is Truth?” shows the deadness of our human hearts. We cannot by our “own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him;.” We need to be born from above, by God the Holy Spirit through water and Christ’s Word - to see the Kingdom of God through our ears.       Dear Christians when the world asks you, ‘What is Truth?’ Answer: My Jesus is The Truth! ., "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. (32) And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."(Joh 8:31-32). Truth by its very nature is exclusive - if everyone has their own truths - then all are deceived snared in Satan’s net. There is only One Savior - only One path of salvation! Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
    What is the Truth? God created this world perfect. Satan deceived our first parents with the lie corrupting creation and filling it with death. God’s eternal rescue plan through His Son was launched for us sinners. Joh 1:14-18 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (15) John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.' " (16) And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. (17) For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (18) No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” The Truth is Jesus - Jesus - only Jesus! He has given you His Holy Spirit - believe in Him through His Holy Word. Live by faith - a holy life clothed in His righteousness preserved under suffering - the cross. Then finally “He will when our last hour comes, give us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven.” Truth! "yes, yes, it shall be so." Amen.