How many on every hand are like Pilate:he did not seek the having to do with Jesus, but it forced itself upon him, and he could not avoid it. So with many; they do not seek it, but it seeks them; they would like to avoid it, but they cannot; they can no more dismiss it successfully than they can dismiss the sun that shines upon them, or dismiss the incessantly approaching hour of their death and of the judgment which follows.

When the matter was forced on Pilate, he tried to be neutral; to make others decide for themselves and leave him in non-committal. He could not succeed. He must decide for or against Jesus. He loved this world more than his soul; a place of honor for a little season, more than the glory of heaven for all eternity. He decided against Jesus, though his conscience knew better.

Now all this is not related about Pilate for Pilate's sake. There is not a man who can avoid having to do with Jesus-with Jesus now as Saviour, or with Jesus by and by as Judge. None can escape this. It is God's decree. "Every knee shall bow." It matters little therefore what we think of any other, but much indeed does it matter what we think of Jesus.

Nor does this end with our having found the salvation that every one finds who believes in Jesus. It continues with the saved man with regard to all truth. Jesus said, " I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." He is the embodiment of all truth, and all truth is linked up with Him as every link in a chain. Should we therefore seek to be neutral concerning any part of the truth-dismiss it because perhaps it is too costly, too disturbing an element for our easy-going life and self-love-we shall surely have to face it some day. Truth in all its parts has a claim upon us. It is not given for our choice, but for obedience. Blessed are they who, knowing it, are doers of it.