What Jesus Did! 'The King of Truth' — John 18:37

Tuesday, November 17, 2026

Pilate said, "So you are a king?"

Jesus responded, "You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true."

— John 18:37 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus came as King. He did not come as a king in robes of royalty or with a fine palace and a royal court. Instead, Jesus came as the King of Truth in simplicity and with a band of everyday folks called apostles. His mission was not to conquer the political landscape, but for God's truth to win the hearts of the people - all people, not just the Jewish people. Truth, however, is dangerous for some people. Every pretender to a powerful position and those who misuse the power that they have are threatened by one who is genuinely qualified and powerful in ways that they don't understand. Pretenders fear the truth. So the true King was murdered so that they could feel secure in the power that they had. The only problem was that once the truth was out there, no political pretender and no earthly power could keep truth from triumphing. Where is Pilate's power today? What's left of Herod's thirst for royal recognition? And Caesar's rule? And the Roman Empire? All are gone, even those who actually had royal and powerful positions. On the other hand, one King still reigns over the hearts of men and women of all races - Jesus, the King of Truth!

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for the blessing of an everlasting Kingdom and a triumphant King - your Son and my Savior, Jesus. May his truth and his Kingdom come to complete triumph in my life. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Discovering 'My Truth'
Article by Rubel Shelly
Does it really matter if we simply adjust our definition of truth to fit our own way of living? Rubel Shelly reminds us that while we can adjust many things to fit our lifestyle and personal reality, truth is still truth despite our protestations and personal journey.
Who Do I Say that Jesus Is?
Article by James Nored & Phil Ware
Jesus' trials focused on his true identity. James Nored and Phil Ware share in word and video the meaning of Jesus' trials before Pilate, Herod, and the Jewish Ruling Council.
Decision Time: Who Do I Say That Jesus Is?
Article by James Nored & Phil Ware
Jesus' trials focused on his true identity. James Nored and Phil Ware share in word and video the meaning of Jesus' trials before Pilate, Herod, and the Jewish Ruling Council.
The Way of Jesus #4: Who Do I Say Jesus Is?
Article by James Nored & Phil Ware
Jesus' trials focused on his true identity, although those who tried him didn't really want to know the truth. James Nored and Phil Ware share in word and video the meaning of Jesus' trials before Pilate, Herod, and the Jewish Ruling Council and how they helped define the way of Jesus through the cross to the empty tomb.

Illustration

Illustration of John 18:37 NLT — "So you are a king?" —— "You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, November 17, 2026

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Enemies into Friends' (1 Ti. 1:16-17)
"Dear Father, king of the ages, Thank you for the cleansing of our sins through Christ. Thank you that you take people who are in outright opposition...."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: 1 Thessalonians 2:18
"Since the first hour in which goodness came into conflict with evil, it has never ceased to be true in spiritual experience, that Satan hinders us...."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'God's Guarantee Bring Us to Praise Him!'
"The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Speaks, and Doors Open at His Command'
"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!