John 18:37-38 English Standard Version
37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “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.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.”
Pilate insists that Jesus tells him “what is truth”. Jesus resists answering Pilate’s question. What would have happened if Jesus had said, “I am the truth and the way and the life.”? We will never know because at that moment Jesus knew what would happen next.
39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.[or an insurrectionist]
The guilty went free because the innocent died.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Yesterday it was said that insistence breeds resistance. Now Jesus, being obedient unto death flips the script.
Now Father God insists that your salvation is based on faith in His Son’s obedience.
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
John 6:65-66 English Standard Version
65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”
66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.
The lost resist the truth when truth insists on faith alone.
Be wise in what you insist upon when talking to lost souls.