IN FACT

John 18:36-38
36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is from another place." 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."

Last November an American TV network did a "news" special about Jesus that was not based on history but on a novel. A reporter admitted at the show's conclusion that the network had no factual data to support the bizarre theories of the book.

In contrast, the movie The Passion of the Christ uses dialogue taken directly from eyewitness accounts of His crucifixion. This wrenching film demands a decision from its viewers: Is this the truth? Or just a disturbing and gruesome work of fiction?

During His trial before Pilate, Jesus told him, "For this reason I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me" (John 18:37). This is a stunningly bold assertion, yet firmly rooted in fact. Pilate, a political man caught in his own soul-conflict, attempted to deflect Jesus' statement with the glib response: "What is truth?" The Man who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life was standing before him. And Pilate blinked.

The Man still stands before the world, holding out nail-pierced hands in an invitation to join His kingdom, a kingdom that does not have its origin in this world. Yet, like Pilate, so many in the world wish He would just go away. They believe that Jesus demands too much--that we will have to think too hard on matters that will jolt us from the status quo. They fear He may ask too much of us. After all, He said, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24). Yet, they forget that Jesus went to the cross for us.

God is not the author of confusion. He hasn't sent us a nice book with fanciful stories to give us a false hope of eternal life with Him. Either Jesus is exactly who He claimed to be, or we should ignore Him completely.

Pilate chose to cling to his own fleeting power. He doesn't have it anymore.

What will you do? The story stands. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. --Tim Gustafson

DESTINATION POINTS

* How does the truth of Jesus' painful death on a cross for my sins affect my life?
* Why is it important to believe in the ultimate truth found in God's Word?
* Am I living by God's truth, or my own made-up version? What does this look like to others?

LINKS:
Not sure about the resurrection of Jesus? Read 10 Reasons To Believe Christ Rose From The Dead http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/rtb/8rsn

The Passion of the Christ Official Website
http://www.thepassionofchrist.com/

bottom line: No one can ignore Jesus.

soul journey