Daily Dose of the Word of God - John 18: 36-40 Artwork

Elmhurst CRC

Welcome to Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church! Here you will find the audio version of the messages from the weekend services taught by Pastor Gregg DeMey and Pastor Jeff Klein with occasional guest pastors, as well as our weekday devotionals. We hope you enjoy the messages and are encouraged by God’s Word.

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Elmhurst CRC

Daily Dose of the Word of God - John 18: 36-40

March 12, 2026 • Gregg DeMey • Season 1 • Episode 1028

0:00 | 3:38

Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor

Gregg DeMey 0:01

Good morning and welcome to Elmhurst CRC's Daily Dose of the Word of God. It's Thursday, March 12. This is Gregg DeMay and the spotlight remains on Jesus during this season of Lent with the apostle John guiding our way.

Gregg DeMey 0:22

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.

Gregg DeMey 1:22

Jesus and Pilate have been having a deep and complicated conversation, but it's not like it's a conversation among equals. Jesus is a prisoner - bound, tied up, and Pilate is not only free, but he seemingly has all the power. Pilate is the Roman Empire personified in Judea. But then Jesus turns the tables. He lets Pilate know that he has a kingdom that is so awesome that it's literally out of the world. And then Jesus sneaks this little tidbit in, "Everyone on the side of the truth listens to me." This is an amazing callback to Jesus declaration of identity in John 14: 9. "I am the way, the truth and the life."

Gregg DeMey 2:16

We know from other gospels that Pilate's conscience has been eating away at him. He knows that Jesus is innocent and that the rulers of the unruly people of Jerusalem are out for his blood. In a damning moment, Pilate blurts out this cynical response, "What is the truth?" Pilate might be Rome personified in Judea, but Jesus is truth personified for this world and for all worlds.

Gregg DeMey 2:49

Let's pray. Lord Jesus, sometimes we wonder what the truth is too. One News report says one thing, our social media says another thing and our friends say something different altogether. Yet, you stand in our midst as the truth. Today, we cling to you above all other things, above all things political and economic and fashionable. You are indeed the truth, and we fix our eyes on you. Amen.