Daily Devotion – November 19, 2021 – Kwen Sanderson

John 18:33-37

Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

Devotion

In the Gospel of John, the word “true” or “truth” (Greek aleithia) is used some forty-one times. It’s root meaning is “hiding nothing” as in pulling back a curtain to reveal what is true reality. It’s the word that Jesus uses here as he is trying to tell Pilate that he came to bear witness to the truth (verse 37). Do you want to see God? Then look at Jesus. Finally, after decades of discussions, and books, and thinking, and workshops, I have finally figured out how to live according to true ethics. For me it is summed up in the acronym WWJD—what would Jesus do? You don’t see or hear those initials so much anymore, but, I’m still discovering how simple, yet profound they are, because they help to link me up to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Jesus, as you called your disciples to follow you, help us modern disciples, in all things, to follow you. Amen.