Christ's Good Confession

Paul, in giving his son Timothy a solemn injunction to keep “this commandment without spot” (1 Tim. 6:14¹⁴That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: (1 Timothy 6:14)), charged him “in the sight of God” and of “Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession.” He links Christ Jesus with God in the wording of this solemn charge. God is spoken of as the quickener [or sustainer] of all things, and the one feature that marks the Lord Jesus Christ is the “good confession” He made before the Roman governor. No reference is made to His glorious resurrection or ascension, nor indeed to any of the miracles which He did, bearing, as each of them did, so rich a testimony to His power and grace; but special notice is taken of His conduct before the judge. “To this end,” He says, “was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice” (John 18:37³⁷Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. (John 18:37)). And now, assuredly, we reach the “good confession.”

The commandment that Paul enjoined so earnestly on Timothy was that he should keep the truth, and that Christianity in its pure and heavenly nature, in its close relation with the new creation, and in its unworldly source and character, should be strenuously maintained by him.

The church is “the pillar and ground of the truth” — the witness to it — so that, if not found in her, it cannot be found anywhere. Timothy, too, had an individual part to bear in this sacred witness. Now, says the Lord, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.” That, amid a thousand other most gracious objects, was the one grand point in His birth and entrance into the world. It is quite true that He was “born King of the Jews,” but He was quite as truly born a witness to the truth.

To come into the world, He must have existed before that coming. And thus we have His Godhead stated as simply. We have the “I” who was born, and the “I” who came — the “I” of Bethlehem, and the “I” who was before Abraham (John 8:58⁵⁸Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. (John 8:58)). Yet, He it was who stood in human form and in lowly grace before Pontius Pilate. And had no one the eye to see, in that lowly form, One who was infinitely more than “the Man Christ Jesus,” who had been sent by the High Priest as a prisoner to the judge? An opened eye was assuredly needed.

To be “of the truth” is needed for this; then, and only then, is His voice heard.

“What is truth?” said Pilate, as he passed away from His presence who was the Truth.

The same quiet firmness marks our blessed Lord in bearing witness to the truth, as marked Him in acknowledging His kingship. His confession before Pilate was unfaltering; it was “good.”

And now, we may see, perhaps, why Paul emphasized to Timothy the instance of the Master’s confession before Pilate, as an incentive to his own testimony. The bright example of Jesus is ever the truest encouragement and stimulus to the faith of His followers. “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life” says Paul. The fight is good, though stiff; and the life is true and precious and eternal, “whereunto,” he adds, “thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” (1 Tim. 6:12¹²Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12)). These are words of comfort and cheer (not of flattery) for the oft-tried heart of this faithful young soldier.

It is important to remember that Christ Jesus witnessed a “good confession” before Pontius Pilate, as an example to ourselves that we should do the same. May we follow Him!

J. Wilson Smith (adapted)