My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. James 3:1-2
Jesus acts of kindness, love, and healing were often met with great hatred and anger from the Pharisees. It makes you wonder what they were teaching that elicited this response from them.
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. John 11:43-47 NIV
Some believed in Jesus, some were on the fence but at least saw him as good, and many felt his words and actions were contrary to the Pharisee’s teaching and had to be dealt with by the religious leaders. But the leaders were not yet ready to hear truth, at least not many of them.
For of John the Baptist it is written:
Now the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. John 1:24-26 NIV
Jesus, their long-awaited Savior, was there, walking among them and yet they didn’t know Him. So how could they share the truth, without knowing Christ? That’s a fair question, and it may help us understand those that yelled “Crucify Him,” less than a week after they cried out “Hosanna,” as Jesus entered Jerusalem for the Passover celebration!
Before he was crucified Jesus revealed something of utmost importance to Pontius Pilate!
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.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.” John 18:37-38 NKJV
Pilate asked the right question but stopped short of finding the truth. Praise our Lord, as his plan for our salvation had to be fulfilled.
Let’s be sure we seek the truth, in order to share the truth effectively!
Love one another!
Barnabas
Special thanks to Barnabas for this guest submission.
It is amazing to realize that Pontius Pilate had to not understand the truth of who Christ was at that point in time to allow Jesus to fulfill prophecy and become the sacrifice for all sinners. It speaks loudly of Gods timing and plans for our lives.