³⁷ “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

³⁸ “What is truth?” Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. ³⁹ But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?”

⁴⁰ They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion. – John 18: 37-40

Today’s reading presents two main points as you and I relate to the world that does not yet know Jesus Christ.

The first point to consider is this phrase by Pilate in vs 38: “What is truth?” The entirety of our faith is built on the concept that there is a Creator who designed the entire universe and every operation within it.  Therefore a standard of truth exists.   We place a lot of trust in the sovereignty of God and the plum-line of truth.  Obviously Pilate was post-modern before there was modern.  He asks “What is truth?”

The second point to consider in this passage deals with choice. The crowd was given the choice of releasing one of two men.  Jesus of Nazareth or a man known as Barabbas.  Barabbas was on death row for leading an insurrection that ended up killing people:

“A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising.” - Mark 15:7

It is easy to make popular decisions. Your judgement and determination are questioned when you make the choice that carries resistance.  In choosing Christ you will experience times when you are the only one. The rest of the world around you will choose all types of things other than Christ.  Do not be surprised.  The crowd chose a murderer over Jesus.

Just remember that it will not always be this way:

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2:9-11

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. – John 17:3

When most people consider ‘eternal life’ they think of clouds, harps and one big church choir.  Scripture doesn’t really describe it that way.  People also describe eternity as if it is something to come and has nothing to do with our present reality.

Eternal life is to know God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

Here’s an exercise: Draw a line with arrows on either end to symbolize eternity (past, present and future).  Then draw two marks on that line to represent all time on this earth.  Most people think of ‘eternity’ as only the arrow on the right side of that line… time to come.  If you think of eternity as forever past and forever forward you may begin to realize that “time” is simply a slice of eternity.  You and I are living at the center of that line.  Eternity is now.  We can live John 17:3 right now!

Q:  Why is Jesus so interested in our ‘knowing God’?

A:  Worship is a byproduct of knowing God.

Do you want to have a vibrant life of worship?  Do you want to live with joy every day?  Keep in mind this new picture of eternity and place your focus on Jesus.  As you grow in Christ daily you will also grow in worship.

Get to know God today. Draw close, pray, take time to be quiet and listen, study scriptures, confess often and live every moment in light of the fact that eternity is not only to come but eternity is right now.

Get started knowing Him for all of eternity.

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

These are the words of Jesus.

I can add nothing that is worth adding.

Read these words over and over again.  It is your message from Jesus today.  Blessings.