“Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37)

When Jesus answered Pilate, “My kingdom does not belong to this world”, Pilate responded “Then you are a king?” Since Jesus’ kingdom did not belong to this world, he was not a threat to the Roman Empire; therefore Pontius Pilate had no problem recognizing Jesus as king. However when Jesus said, “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth”. Although Pilate pretended to be sympathetic and asked him, “What is truth?” he left without waiting for Jesus’ answer.

Pilate could not listen anymore because even though he knew that Jesus was innocent, he had to prosecute him to save his own title. It was not that he did not understand what the truth was; he just could not act on it.

“Listen to Jesus’ voice” certainly included “taking action”. No wonder Jesus often criticized that people “have eyes but do not see, have ears but do not hear”. Those who “belong to the truth” must act according to their words.