Jesus, the God-man: Gospel of John
“Blinded by Lies, Confronted by the Truth”
John 18:28-40
Introduction: “Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov
As Jesus is taken to Pilate we will see the truth of those words written by Dostoyevsky. We will discover that lies have a devastating and corrupting effect in a person’s life to the point that they believe murder is acceptable, but we will also recognize the power of the Truth . Let’s examine the power of a lie and the impact of truth as we see those that are “blinded by lies, confronted by the Truth”.
1. Lies blind us to our spiritual condition.
(vv. 28-32)
John skips the farce of the trial before Caiphas and instead gives more information about Pilate and Jesus’ interaction.
“Praetorium” – Pilate’s house.
“early morning” – Probably around 5 or 6 AM.
Jews take Him to Pilate’s house but do not go in lest they become defiled from being in a Gentile’s house. There was nothing in the law about this, but had been added by men.
UNBELIEVABLE! They think they are clean from being defiled because they ritualistically avoided Gentiles while at the same time they are plotting the death of an innocent Man! Illegal trials, illegal abuse, and false testimonies are all part of their plot.
They are not afraid of violating God’s law, but their rituals.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!... Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all unclean-ness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Matthew 23:23-24, 27-28
Part of Passover was eliminating leaven which symbolized sin. They wanted to be able to continue to participate in Passover so they made sure they did not defile the outside while ignoring the evil intents of their heart.
Many today think that maintaining a ritual or following certain rules makes them clean. Say so many “Hail Marys” or “Our Fathers” or make sure you are baptized or put so much money in the offering makes you right before God.
This is the reason why people can say that a person is good while at the same time they are disobeying God and His Word.
That Christianity is worthless which makes us make up for the neglect of heart religion and practical holiness, by an extravagant zeal for man-made ceremonies or outward forms. –J.C. Ryle (1816-1900), Expository Thoughts on John
v. 29 – Pilate goes out on the balcony and asks, “What is the charge?” Oops. That ruined their plan because they just wanted a guilty verdict without a trial.
v. 30 – The problem is they found Him guilty of blasphemy which was not a Roman capital offense. So they just avoid the question and ask, “Do you think we would just bring an innocent man to you? Obviously He is an evildoer.” LIE!
v. 31 – Pilate wisely recognizes that the problem is not with Rome but with the Jews and he wants to pass the buck so he says, “Judge Him by your law.”
“We want Him dead and we can’t do that!” Aha! They have now shown their true colors and exposed a fulfilled prophecy which proves they are about to kill their Messiah.
Rome had passed a law about three year prior that said the Jews were no longer allowed to practice the death penalty which was by stoning.
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; Genesis 49:10a
Genesis 49:10 said that the scepter would not pass out of Judah until Shiloh which means peace had come. The Jews no longer were in charge which means Messiah has arrived!
v. 32 – Scripture said Messiah would be crucified and not stoned hundreds of years before crucifixion was invented!
For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; Psalm 22:16
Jesus had already said twice (John 3:14 and 12:32-33) that He would be lifted up.
These men driven by lies are fulfilling Scripture and don’t even realize it.
2. The Truth can change our heart. (vv. 33-38)
Pilate goes back in and calls for Jesus and perhaps with a mix of curiosity and contempt begins to question Him.
“Are you King of the Jews?” Are you an enemy of Caesar? Keep this in mind for later today and at the cross.
v. 34 – Jesus responds, “Do you personally want to know or did someone tell you to ask? Do you think I am or did someone tell you?”
Jesus presses for individual responsibility. You must have your own personal convictions. You cannot live off of what someone else thinks about Jesus.
v. 35 – Pilate sneers, “What difference does it make to me? I’m not Jewish! You must be guilty of something otherwise why are you here?”
v. 36 – Jesus replies, “I am a King, but not of this world. If I was we would be at war right now. But I am not from here.”
This is one reason why He healed Malchus’ ear. He was not here to fight but to declare the truth of the kingdom.
WARNING! There is another world and Jesus is King in it!
The eternal King who rules over the souls of men is mightier than an external foe with powerful armies. Rome is gone, Napoleon is gone, Hitler is gone, but the Kingdom of Jesus marches on. –David Guzik, Pastor, Calvary Chapel, Santa Barbara, CA
v. 37 – Pilate: “Oh, so you are a king?” Notice he does not say “of the Jews” this time. He is not getting it, but he is curious. Asking questions can lead to the truth.
Some people will not get it when you talk to them about Jesus. Remember they suffer from “Lie Blindness.”
Jesus: “You said it! You are right. I am King. I was born as a Man for that reason to come and tell others of My kingdom. I am here to tell others the truth and if you are of the truth (not believe or know), but have a relationship with the Truth then you will hear Me.”
He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” John 8:47
v. 38 – Pilate asks, “What is truth?” and then goes back out. He does not even wait for an answer.
Pilate, like many today, thought that truth was relative and could change from person to person. What is true for one may not be true for another.
NO!! Truth is a Person! His name is Jesus and you can know Him! When you know Him He will change your heart and set you free!
The reason why Pilate and others do not discover this truth is two-fold. They are full of pride and laziness.
If you seek [truth] as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:4-5
You can find the truth but you must be willing to look for it.
Francis Collins earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry at Yale University and then entered medical school. During his training at a North Carolina hospital, a dying woman often talked to him about her faith in Christ. He rejected the existence of God, but he couldn’t ignore the woman’s serenity.
One day she asked, “What do you believe?” Caught off guard, Collins’ face turned red as he stammered, “I’m not really sure.” A few days later the woman died.
Curious and uneasy, the young doctor realized that he had rejected God without adequately examining the evidence. He began to read the Bible and the writings of C. S. Lewis. A year later he fell to his knees and gave his life to Jesus Christ. The catalyst? A sincere question from an elderly woman whose physical heart was failing but whose concern for others was strong. (Our Daily Bread, 8/4/07)
Pilate says to the Jews, “He’s not guilty.” At that point he should have released Him but…
3. Blinding lies leads to poor choices. (vv. 39-40)
Pilate is a weak man and is more concerned with public opinion and what people think than in doing what is right like many politicians today.
Instead of freeing the Man in whom he “found no fault” he negotiates with evil.
How many sinners will be in hell because they feared people and sought to please them! –Brian Bell, Pastor, Calvary Chapel, Murrietta, CA
The custom was to free one criminal per year at Passover in order to keep the Jews appeased. A picture of grace and deliverance at Passover!
He asks, “Should I release the King of the Jews?” That was a politically charged question.
v. 40 - “all cried” – kraugazo – Shouted, “NO!! Not this Man!” Note He is not Messiah or deity. He’s just a man.
Instead they asked for Barabbas which we are told is a robber. Other gospels say he was a murderer and a rioter. He was a terrorist and a troublemaker. He is perhaps a leader of a group of robbers that had been captured. Some believe the two thieves on either side of Jesus were part of his gang. Jesus dies on the cross intended for Barabbas.
Barabbas literally means “son of the father”. They ask for the son of their father the devil to be released so that the true “Son of the Father” could be crucified. Jesus literally died in Barabbas’ place just like He did for each of us.
Conclusion: When you are blinded by lies you too will not make wise choices nor will you understand your lost spiritual condition. Satan will tell you that you are good enough, you can cut a deal with God, or you can wait until later and then discover it is too late! Do not believe the lies!
Listen to the Truth! If you have a relationship with the One who is the Truth then you will not fall for the lies.
As we close each of us needs to answer are you “blinded by lies or confronted by the Truth”?
