“What is truth?” Pilate asked that question to Jesus while he was interrogating his prisoner to determine if the death penalty was warranted (Jn. 18:38). Pilate was struggling to comprehend the anger toward Jesus, at the same time trying to get his head wrapped around the person before him. Jesus kept talking about his Kingdom and truth, “. . . I came into the world to testify to truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (Jn. 18:37). Thus, Pilate’s rhetorical inquiry, “What is truth” never gets answered.
Arbitrarily assigning a meaning to “truth” from this conversation certainly will paint a narrow portrait, as John uses “truth” to move his Jesus Story forward over twenty times. “We have seen his glory . . . full of grace and truth” (Jn. 1:14). “Whoever lives by truth, comes into the light” (Jn. 3:21). “. . . true worshipers will worship in spirit and truth” (Jn. 4:23). “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (Jn. 8:32). “Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me” (Jn. 845). “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6). “But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth” (Jn. 16:13). “Sanctify them by truth; your word is truth” (Jn. 17:17).
In all of these passages, things become a little clearer. Jesus embodies truth. More than a contrast to falsehood or lies, Jesus reveals something about God’s character and expressed in the redeeming, salvation role of Jesus. We embrace the truth revealed in Jesus Christ, as we align ourselves with the redemption process. We begin reflecting Jesus in our own lives so that truth overcomes the falsehoods that originally defined us.
What is truth? We live in a time when truth is debated and debunked. It feels like truth no longer exists, or at least the social conscience of truth has dissipated like the mid-morning fog being burned away by the sun. Individually, it seems everyone has a handle on their own form of truth; my truth is relevant to me, but not to you. But, at least nationally, we’re struggling with a group consensus on truth. Thus, we find little agreement to solve the racial divide. We find the political landscape polarizing the people. Churches cannot find enough commonality to unite. The ease at which one may alter a narrative to leave a false impression is so easy to script. The fall of organized news media along with the rise in “fake news” outlets leaves everyone struggling to find the truth. So, like the tagline of the hit show of the 90’s, X-Files, “the truth is out there,” keeps us as far away from the truth as possible.
“What is truth,” Pilate asked. Neither Jesus nor Pilate chose to answer the question leaving us to ponder the ramifications. However, the gospel writer spends the next two chapters unfolding the passion of Christ. So uncovering the truth is God’s power which is materialized in his Son to allow himself to suffer an unimaginable death which ends in resurrected glory.
What is truth? Take a good look at Jesus Christ and you will find the answer.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. Only God Is Glorified!)