Christ's Truth and Kingship

 

John 18:37 (KJV) says:

"Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."

Christ’s Work to Counter Deception

In this verse, Jesus makes it clear that His mission is to bear witness to the truth. This directly counters the deceptions of the enemy, who is described in Scripture as the "father of lies" (John 8:44). Satan seeks to distort reality, leading people away from God through falsehood and deception. Jesus, on the other hand, proclaims and embodies the truth, revealing God's character, His plan of salvation, and the true nature of reality. His life, teachings, death, and resurrection expose and defeat the lies of sin, showing the way to eternal life.

By declaring that those who are "of the truth" hear His voice, Jesus emphasizes that people must choose to accept the truth He brings. His followers recognize and respond to His words, while those who reject Him remain trapped in deception.

Jesus as King

When Jesus affirms His kingship, He redefines what it means to be a king. Unlike earthly rulers who assert power through force and political control, Jesus’ kingship is based on truth, love, and spiritual authority. His kingdom is "not of this world" (John 18:36), meaning it operates by different principles—righteousness, peace, and submission to God's will.

Jesus' kingship means:

1. He has ultimate authority – All power in heaven and earth belongs to Him (Matthew 28:18).
2. He reigns over a spiritual kingdom – His rule is not about worldly conquest but about transforming hearts.
3. He is the King of Truth – His reign is based on divine truth, and those who seek truth follow Him.
4. He will establish His kingdom fully – While His kingdom is spiritual now, one day He will return to reign as King over all creation (Revelation 19:16).

Ultimately, John 18:37 reveals that Jesus came to expose the enemy’s lies, proclaim the truth, and establish His eternal kingdom. Those who follow Him submit to His rule and walk in the truth He reveals.

More: Lesson 11 What More Could I Have Done?

The Unwittingly Witness of Pilate to Jesus as Messiah and King

 

Pilate becomes an unwittingly witness to Jesus' identity as King and Messiah in several key passages in the Gospel of John, even though he does not fully understand the significance of his words and actions. His interactions with Jesus, his declarations to the crowd, and his choice of words in the inscription on the cross all contribute to this theme.

During Pilate's interrogation of Jesus, he asks, "Are you the King of the Jews?" (John 18:33). Jesus responds, explaining that his kingdom is "not of this world" (John 18:36). Pilate then questions Jesus further, asking, "So you are a king?" to which Jesus replies, "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" (John 18:37). This exchange allows Jesus to clarify the nature of his kingship, making Pilate an unwitting witness to the truth that Jesus is a different kind of king, one whose authority is spiritual and divine.

After having Jesus flogged, Pilate presents him to the crowd, saying, "Behold, the man!" (John 19:5). Although Pilate is attempting to appease the crowd and possibly evoke pity, his words also highlight Jesus as the representative "man" who fulfills prophetic roles as the suffering servant and Messiah (Isaiah 53). Pilate’s act of bringing Jesus before the people emphasizes Jesus' unique role and identity in God's redemptive plan.

Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the crowd pressures him by saying, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar" (John 19:12). Pilate then sarcastically asks, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests reply, "We have no king but Caesar" (John 19:15). In his interactions, Pilate unintentionally highlights Jesus as "the King" in opposition to worldly powers, underlining the ironic truth that Jesus is indeed a king, though not in a way understood by Rome or the religious leaders.

Finally, Pilate orders a sign to be placed on the cross that reads: "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" (John 19:19). When the chief priests ask him to change it to "This man said, I am King of the Jews," Pilate refuses, saying, "What I have written, I have written" (John 19:22). Pilate’s refusal to alter the inscription serves as a powerful, unintentional testimony to Jesus’ kingship. This public declaration of Jesus as "King of the Jews" is an ironic yet profound witness to his messianic identity, fulfilling prophecy and testifying to Jesus’ true identity as the awaited King.

Through these actions and statements, Pilate becomes an unintentional witness to Jesus’ kingship and messianic role. Though he lacks understanding, his words and decisions reveal Jesus’ identity to the readers of the Gospel of John, fulfilling the divine plan and demonstrating how God uses even reluctant figures to bear witness to the truth of Jesus as King and Messiah.

More: Lesson 7 - Blessed Are Those  Who Believe

How did the people respond to His miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, and how did Jesus use this to try to teach them who He was? John 6:14-15,26-36

 

In John 6:14-15, 26-36, the people witness Jesus perform the miracle of feeding the five thousand, and their response is telling. Let’s break it down.

 1. The People's Response to the Miracle (John 6:14-15)

After Jesus miraculously fed the multitude with just five loaves of bread and two fish, the crowd immediately recognized the significance of what He had done. They said:

 Verse 14: "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world."

 They saw Jesus as the promised prophet foretold in Deuteronomy 18:15, likely with the expectation of a political or military leader who would free them from Roman rule.

 Verse 15: "Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself."

 Their enthusiasm was focused on earthly concerns—they wanted to make Jesus a king, expecting Him to lead them in rebellion against the Romans, rather than understanding the spiritual significance of His mission.

 2. Jesus’ Teaching (John 6:26-36)

After the miracle, the crowd follows Jesus to Capernaum. Jesus uses the opportunity to redirect their focus from physical to spiritual matters.

 Verses 26-27: Jesus rebukes the crowd for seeking Him because of the food rather than for the spiritual truth. He says, "You seek me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life."

 Jesus challenges their materialistic view, urging them to seek something far more important—eternal life, which He can give.

 Verses 28-29: The people ask, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus replies, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.”

 He emphasizes faith in Him as the key to salvation, not just performing works.

 Verses 30-31: The people demand another sign, referring to the manna their ancestors ate in the wilderness.

 They still misunderstand, focusing on material provision and comparing Jesus to Moses, who provided manna.

 Verses 32-35: Jesus clarifies that the true “bread from heaven” is not the manna but Himself. He says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

 Jesus reveals that He is the source of spiritual sustenance and eternal life, not just a provider of physical needs.

 3. Key Lesson

 The miracle of feeding the five thousand was meant to point to Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God, the one who gives eternal life. However, the people were fixated on the immediate, physical benefits (food, earthly kingship).

 Jesus used this moment to teach them that He is the "bread of life," offering something far greater than physical sustenance—eternal life through faith in Him.

Jesus was trying to shift their focus from the temporary (earthly bread, physical needs) to the eternal (spiritual nourishment and salvation through Him).