Pilate's Interruption The Armor of Truth (Part 6) Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Pilate's Interruption ----------------------- Date: 04/06/1999 Keywords: "armor" "belt" "Pilate" "truth" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. The following is one of 42 studies on the "armor of God" as it relates to resisting Web porn. Some of the studies will examine Ephesians chapter six, which is famous for the armor theme. Some of the other studies, however, will examine how the armor pieces are discussed elsewhere in Scripture. All 42 studies are listed in the three-minute study index for the dates April 1 through May 12, 1999. Feel free to study and/or download the entire set. We welcome your feedback to this thematic approach in the three-minute studies. Passage: John 18:33-38a* 33. Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus, and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" 34. Jesus answered, "Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?" 35. Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I" Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You up to me; what have You done?" 36. Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." 37. Pilate therefore 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 bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." 38a. Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" Questions 1. What did Jesus mean when he said he came to "bear witness to the truth"?   2. Why do you think Pilate answered Jesus with "What is truth?"   A practical tale Pilate's phone rang. "Sir, the Jewish leaders have brought Jesus here and want you to crucify him. Can you come down?" Pilate sighed and switched off his computer. The pornography would have to wait. Summoning Jesus, Pilate asked, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Are you really curious, or are you asking me questions based on what others have told you about me?" Pilate thought, Give me a break, I have enough to worry about with my business, with the wife and kids and my social circle. I don’t have the time or interest to add wrestling with ‘Who is Jesus really?’ Besides, it might change me into some religious freak. So he answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you up to me; what have you done?" Jesus answered, "I’m not here to take over your world, but I’m here to invite you into Mine. You see, yours will end, and Mine will not." Pilate’s mind had drifted back to something he saw on his computer screen, so he missed the profound significance of what Jesus had just said. "Where were we? Oh yes, 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 bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." He came for this? Pilate thought, to be tried and risk execution at my hand? We know how this story turns out in the Bible. Pilate of old did not "hear his voice" — he didn't understand what Jesus said much less change the course of his own life. But what about you and me? Do we likewise neglect the truth? Go back and look carefully at what Jesus has just said (verse 37): You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice. The truth is that, within hours of his interview with Pilate, Jesus died on a cross as atonement for the sins of anyone believing on him. But the truth doesn't end there. As a result of this atonement, believers can dare to be free at last from sins that easily beset them. Beset by porn? Put on the armor of truth. Accept the atoning work of Jesus on the cross and his power to set you free from the snares of smut. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 1999 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."