John 18:37–40

“Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate *said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and *said to them, “I find no guilt in Him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?” So they cried out again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber.”

Pilate stood face to face with the King of Truth—yet chose fear over faithfulness. He knew Jesus was innocent, but he caved to the crowd. He knew what was right, but lacked the moral courage to do it. Pilate’s tragedy was not ignorance—it was cowardice.

“The fear of man brings a snare” (Prov. 29:25). Like Pilate, many today know the truth of Christ but bow to the pressure of public opinion. We want to please people, preserve reputation, and avoid risk. But compromise always costs us something greater—our integrity before God.

Jesus declared, “For this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth.” Those who belong to Him hear His voice and stand for what is right, even when it costs.

For Meditation:

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” —2 Timothy 1:7

Challenge:

Ask yourself—when truth and comfort collide, which do I choose?

Will I stand with Christ when the crowd cries, “Not this man, but Barabbas”?

Pray for the Spirit’s power to make you bold—unmoved by fear, and unashamed of the Truth.