Testifying to the Truth in Faith and Expectance

The basis of this study or devotional is from John chapters 18 and 19. We want to get a complete picture of John's passion for Christ. Johns account leading up to the Crucifixion and death of our Lord and Saviour take a different role, surprisingly enough it isn't the priestly or prophetic aspect of Christ that John highlights but that of the Kingly role of Christ our dying saviour, I say this extremely ironic since John's Gospel unlike the others doesn't give an account for the kingdom of God.

 

Very surprisingly John doesn't focus on his Kingly aspects until ch 18. John only mentions the word King and Kingdom 6 times prior, only 6. The previous three are filled with these themes through and through. They explode towards the end of this Gospel though. Jesus mentions that this Kingdom is not of this world. 16 times the Greek words for King and Kingdom are used in these two chapters. What does it mean to be followers of this King that is not of this world. Do we really have Faith because that is what we are called to do. A recent poll states that 86 percent of all United States citizens consider themselves to be Christians at some level, but less than half knew who preached the sermon on the Mount (kind of shocking). This poll also said 60 % of the country was in church last Easter yet this is the scary part 1 of 4 did not know what Easter celebrated. The questions in ultimately do we have ears to hear, do we have faith to believe it, do we believe and trust and boldly and proudly declare that Christ is our King and Saviour.

 

Another questions is do we understand it. This is so significant because this helps to distinguish greatly the Difference between the Kingdom of God and any traditional kingdom. Pilate and Jesus dialogue sum up this difference...Pilate ask Christ are you the king of the Jews. He asks am I a Jew. And Pilate continues to press and Jesus says that his Kingdom is not of this world. Jesus said if my kingdom was from here my followers would have fought for my life. Pilate replies Snap! you are a king then. Jesus says basically you say I am a King and I have come into this world also to testify the Truth!

 

Everyone on the side of Truth listens to me. How do explain this amazing spiritual Kingdom to anyone who is absorb and lives in such a material world. My Kingdom is not of this world. We as followers of Jesus must remember that our Kingdom is not of this world. Jesus is not a king of a particular people or of a parcel of land but of All and ultimately of divine Truth. This truth is not simply a proposition to which one can ascend, but the very Gospel that Jesus life bears witness to. A truth to which people belong. I want to share a story that relates to this situations. God calls us to be servant on our turf, to be a witness and a light to a dark world were for every 60 people that attend an Easter service, 15 don't know what they are celebrating. Perhaps your turf is the baseball diamond, recording studio, an office, the architectural firm, car dealership, guitar shop, exc.

 

God is present in all things and places in life and he should be in all things we do. Winning or losing, in triumphs and in tragedy. Where's your turf and does God rule you their, is he at the center of your life and in all things you do. Not just when your winning, but also when you are losing. Not just during the triumphs but also in the tragedies of your life. Does God rule them? We are called to testify to the truth, of the Good News of Jesus Christ and the coming of his kingdom. When truth wakes us up, it also requires action.

 

In order to proclaim and testify truth we must live in it Truth doesn't obey our plans and our desires, it transforms us and our plans. When we open our hearts and minds to God, we grasp the power of truth. What does this mean? At times the truth can be tough to follow but this helps us to analyze why we believe what we believe, why we have faith in Christ our Saviour, why we see things unseen, why we are children of the Most high God. It often informs us that we are to be transformed by internal conflict, we must wrestle with scripture, we must ask to the tough questions for without this we will not grow in Christ. If you want answers take it up in prayer to God, for surely he will answer you. Remember when you are struggling that it is never the last word, the last word Belongs to God who will not abandon you. Freedom from fear: freedom from the fear of want and need, free from the fear of death, absolute freedom.

 

Resolve to testify to the hope that is within you (biblical reference). A truth that sets you free and perhaps even those around you. And remember whoever you are and wherever you are on your walk with Christ speak truth to power, speak truth in love, and most importantly speak truth even when your voice quivers (spelling) because that is how the Lord of all, Lord of Lords and King of Kings wants us to live. I will end with this John 4:24 (NLT) For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. God Bless and Amen.