Live to Love Scripture Encouragement John 18.37

John 18:37 “Therefore Pilate said to Him, ‘So You are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’” I’m trying to imagine the impact Jesus had on Pilate. I’m sure he had never spoken with anyone who said the things Jesus said about Himself. Pilate had no reference point for Jesus. For that matter, how does anyone who is of this world and thinks life consists only of what we can see, touch, and hear in this world understand the eternal things of God? They can’t. So perhaps we can sympathize with Pilate a little as we read their exchange. Think about it. Have you ever heard anyone talk about the reason they came into this world? I doubt it. Jesus told him that He came to testify to the truth and everyone who is of the truth hears His voice. We’ll talk tomorrow about what truth Jesus was speaking of. But for now, let’s focus on the amazing statement that those who hear His voice are “of” the truth. This isn’t the first time Jesus had said this. John recorded Jesus saying these things in John 10:16 and 27. “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.” and vs. 27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Obviously Pilate was not “hearing His voice.” Have you? If so, you are of the truth and of His kingdom. He is your king, and He knows you. He was born to testify to this great truth: namely, that God has an eternal kingdom and Jesus knew the servants of His kingdom before the world was. The Father gave them to Him. He was born and lived in this earthly domain, to testify to that great truth. The evidence of that truth is that His servants hear His voice, “If you believe in God, believe also in Me. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34 and 14:1) and they follow Him. If you’ve heard His voice, live to love with Jesus today. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com