December 9, 2024
“You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world — to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
While a scene before Jesus’ death may not help us feel immediate peace, this passage shows that Jesus was entirely at peace with what was about to happen. From the beginning, Jesus knew that His purpose on earth would be to share the truth about Himself and die a painful death on the cross for sins He never committed. Yet, in the moments leading up to His death, He is completely peaceful and continues to share the truth about why He came to earth. Through Jesus’ interactions with Pilate, Jesus again shares that He is a King, but His Kingdom is not on this earth. After His death, Jesus will take His rightful place in heaven on His throne, where He rules supreme. Jesus tells Pilate that His purpose on earth was to bear witness, and those who follow truth listen to His voice. In John 14:6, Jesus tells listeners He is the Way, Truth, and Life. Jesus says that through salvation He alone brings, He can reconnect us to the Father. He is truth as He fulfills all Old Testament prophecies written long before His birth. And He is the life, as confessing our belief in Jesus brings us eternal life. Knowing that Jesus reigns eternal on the throne and that our belief in Jesus and truth provides eternal life should bring us peace that surpasses all understanding. Run to Jesus and lay it all at His feet through whatever trials you face today. Jesus will provide peace that you may not have experienced and will not be able to describe. (Philippians 4:7 NASB1995)
Lord, I love you, convict me of my sin and drive my heart to repentance. Help me to understand clearly what you have done for me in the work of Christ. Give me a desire to proclaim that truth with my life.