As I prepare for a sermon each week ideas bubble up at odd times and in strange places. Seldom do they arrive neatly at my office desk. Sometimes they are even a few days late. Thus I begin a weekly blog called Tuesday Sermons, a collection of thoughts that were slow in coming or said too quietly to hear the first time.

The interrogation scene in John 18:33-37 shows a powerful man in control of the situation. But that man was not Pilate, but Jesus. Pilate, arguably the most powerful man in those parts, was really trapped by the fear of losing his position and his power. If he did not crucify Jesus it would lead to violence and insurrection and that would not play well with his Roman superiors. Pilate was forced to go against his true convictions and sacrifice his integrity to keep his job and his status.

Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation, going against who you are in order to maintain a job or a lifestyle? How many politicians find themselves in a similar predicament?

Jesus asks us to be authentic. It is the only way to encounter truth and experience abundant life. Every time we choose not to cover up who we truly are we get closer to the truth of our own life. Pilate turned down Jesus’ offer and dismissively asked, “What is truth?” not realizing that it was standing right before him.