King of Truth

Jesus is the King of truth. It seems as most every other leader, in order to maintain their positions of power, resorts to misleading and excusing and rationalizing and, let’s just say it, lying.

Herod did it. The magi came seeking “the one who has been born king of the Jews.” After investigation by the scribes (since Herod surely didn’t know the Scriptures) it was found that there indeed was prophesied one who would be born as ruler and shepherd of the people (Micah 5:2). Jesus’ birth would fulfill that prophecy, vindicating its truth, even as He brought truth into the world: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me” (John 14:6).

Close to the end of John’s Gospel, we find Jesus, betrayed by Judas, arrested, and then rushed to the Roman governor pilate by the Jewish high priest and his crowd. Pilate finds no matter of Roman concern, but seems curious and puzzled about what Jesus really is all about. He asks Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus knows that Pilate knows nothing about Old Testament promises and prophecies. He is little interested in the redemptive purposes of God. He’s got his little corner of the empire to run - to make things run smooth - for the sake of his reputation. And he is willing to do whatever it takes to do so, even if it means crucifying the truth.

Jesus says, “My kingdom is not of this world.” It couldn’t possibly be of this world, because it is governed by - truth. It is from heaven, from God, whose Word is truth. Truth will be the rule of the kingdom that is not of this world, but is from above.

When we come to worship Jesus, we must do so in truth: “those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” It is a large commitment on our part, and beyond our own resources.

Why? Because we have this world stamped all over us, including its penchant for deception, whether it be deception of others, or of ourselves. We like to live according to “sweet, little lies” that make us look better, feel better, and help us fit in or be more successful.

To follow Jesus is to be changed by the truth, and then to be committed to the truth. It is to reject the telling of lies, and not to follow those who do. We commit to following Jesus, as servants of His kingdom, and we repeat to ourselves, and to others, the truth, which is not of this world.