A Question of Second-Hand Christianity
John 18:33-38 (text v. 34—“Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?”).
This was a DRAMATIC SCENE: It is early in the morning (v. 28). Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, had barely wiped the sleep from his eyes when the Jewish leaders brought Jesus before him.
Pilate had heard of Jesus. The fame of Jesus had spread far and wide (Mt. 14:1; Luke 4:37; 5:15). Pilate certainly heard about Christ’s dramatic entrance into Jerusalem just a few days earlier as the multitudes shouted, “Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13).
Now Jesus and Pilate stand face-to-face. Jesus didn’t look like a “king”—at least not the kind of king a Roman would recognize. So Pilate asks Jesus plainly— “Art thou King of the Jews?” 1
It was a straightforward question that could have been answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” But Jesus doesn’t answer Pilate’s question. Why? Because, if Jesus answered, “Yes,” Pilate would see Jesus as a rival of Caesar who came to overthrow Rome. On the other hand, if He answered, “No,” He would deny the truth and “the hope of Israel.”
The Lord turns the tables on Pilate with a question of His own—
“Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?”
“Pilate, are you asking because you want to know who I am for yourself, or are you just asking because you heard others saying it?”
Jesus’ question was directed at Pilate’s conscience. He was pressing upon Pilate his individual responsibility to decide for himself who Christ was apart from what others were saying.
Jesus wanted Pilate to consider the source of his information. “Pilate, who told you this? Is it just hearsay? Is it second hand knowledge? Or, did you come to this conclusion on your own?”
Jesus was inviting Pilate to change something he heard second-hand into a first-hand experience.
Unfortunately, Pilate evaded the question (v. 35). He could have admitted that everything he knew about Jesus he got second-hand and he really would like to know the truth for himself.
Instead, Pilate changed the subject and said, “Am I a Jew? Why did your own nation turn against you?” This question opened the door for Je- sus to explain the true nature of His Kingship (v. 36).
The value in hearsay. Most everything we know we got second-hand:
Historical knowledge of Julius Caesar, Columbus, George Washington.
Scientific knowledge — Distance of earth from the sun is 92,000,000 miles. Temperature of the sun is 12,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
“I’ll take your word on that.” There are somethings that I believe without needing to experience them: Touching a fallen electrical line is deadly… Heroin and cocaine are addictive… Smoking cigarettes causes cancer… Touching a hot stove will burn you.
But, there are some things I must experience for myself:
- Personal salvation—Knowing the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation will not save me until I experience for myself.
- Personal Revival—Hearing about great revivals in the past are wonderful, but it will never satisfy the need for revival in your my life today.
- God’s Blessings—Hearing what God did for others may be encouraging, but it will not meet my need for God to do something in my own life today. As Jacob professed in Genesis 30:27, “I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me…”
I. Second-hand knowledge will never SATISFY your spirit.
It has been said that theology (the study of God) is queen of all sciences. Yet, no knowledge about God can ever take the place of personally KNOWING GOD Himself. As Paul professed, “I know WHOM [not what] I have believed” (2 Tim. 1:12).
A. KNOWING BY EXPERIENCE.
1. I’ve learned how to grill a delicious steak—I know how to select a good steak at the store… how to marinate it… how hot to make the grill… how long to grill the steak on each side. But knowing all that will never satisfy my hunger.
- A person can be very knowledgable about water—It’s composition…it’s importance to life…where it can be found. But that will never quench his thirst.
- A person may know all there is about automobiles—the various makes and brands…how they operate…how to repair them. But that will never transport a person anywhere.
- Likewise, a person can know all about God and Jesus Christ, but still die and go to Hell.
B. TRANSLATING HEARSAY INTO EXPERIENCE—
Hearsay is good as far as it goes. Our initial knowledge of Christ probably came to us second-hand. But what we’ve heard about Jesus must be translated into a personal experience.
- Do you know the Lord BY EXPERIENCE, or do you know the Lord only by what others have said about Him?
- What do you know of God by personal experience, apart from anything anyone else may have told you? You must know Jesus for yourself, and not simply from the testimony of someone else.
Don’t take someone else’s word for it—Experience the Lord for yourself. “O taste and see that the LORD is good.” (Ps. 34:8).
II. Second-hand knowledge will never SPUR you to serve.
PARTIAL SERMON: FULL PDF HERE
