JOHN 18:38: “Pilate said to him, “What is truth?…” (GW)

OBSERVATION: “What is truth?”  What a powerful question! In fact, within this question lies the sum of all things. And it is this question that causes so many to miss the pathway that leads to life. What prompted Pontius Pilate to ask this question? It was what Jesus said to Pilate as he was interrogated by him.

• “Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus replied, “You’re correct in saying that I’m a king. I have been born and have come into the world for this reason: to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to me.” ‭‭John‬ ‭18:37‬ ‭GW‬‬

Pilate asked Jesus if He was a king. Jesus answered with proclaiming to Pilate the reason He had come into the world – to testify to the truth. And then Jesus said something that challenged Pilate to his very core – “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to me.”

It was at this point that Pilate had to make a decision. Would he listen to Jesus, or would he dismiss Him? It all hinged on whether Pilate would embrace the truth. So, avoiding any further confrontation or commitment, Pilate chose the easiest way of escape by asking – “What is truth?”

This is the same escape that so many use today. We are so quick to debate what we think, how we feel, and our personal perception. However, please do not challenge us with the truth! In fact, in our culture today, the enemy has been very successful in promoting relativism (the belief that truth is and morality exist only in relation to culture and our experience, and there are no absolutes). He has been so successful, that even people in the church have embraced this as the norm.

I read many impassioned discussions about religion, views on the church, social issues, and cultural norms. In most of these there is one thing that is always missing – the truth! Gone are the days when we would wrestle with the Biblical text to answer our questions. Now, as in the book of Judges, every man does what is right in his own eyes. And if you try to bring up the Bible, you are met with the question – “What is truth?”

This is not a rant of frustration, or the thoughts of someone who is fully out of touch. This is the impassioned plea of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. We cannot call ourselves His disciples if we are not daily coming to, and abiding in His truth.

• “As Jesus was saying this, many people believed in him. So Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you live by what I say, you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ‭‭John‬ ‭8:30-32‬ ‭GW‬‬

So, before we give our opinion, before we weigh in with our judgment, let’s go to the truth. We must always remember, this is why Jesus came – to testify of the truth. He is not only the one who testified and clarified the truth and heart of the Father – Jesus is the truth!

If we do not look to Jesus, if we do not comb the pages of the “Logos”, the Word of God, then we will find ourselves simply echoing Pilate’s remarks…

“What is truth?”

In Jesus Name!