The Call: Live “In” the World, Not “For” The World
Scripture Reading
John 18:33, 36-38
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 does not belong to this world. If my kingdom belonged to 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.”Pilate asked him, “What is truth?”
Introductory Remarks:
On this 5th Feast Day of the Lenten Season, Jesus calls us to faithfully and boldly take a stand for the Truth - God’s Truth.
In the world there are ‘Truth Pretenders/Imposters’. To live ‘for’ them leads to bondage. Only God’s Truth sets you free.
Major Points of the Lesson:
Jesus calls us to bear witness to the Truth, just as he did so many times. Truth reveals the non-power of all else, including political maneuverings.
To stand firmly on God’s Truth takes Faith; faith in God no matter the cost.
Quote:
“When we stand in the Truth, we stand as ONE, and as scripture reveals, One with God powerfully constitutes a majority.”
Sheila McKeithen