What is Truth? - Pt 1

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. (John 18:33-38 ESV).

Whatever your preferred source of “truth” it is a rare individual who doesn’t marvel at the stark contrast of any “fair and balanced” talk show host interviewing representatives of opposing positions. I have chosen our reading today carefully as I begin a little journey in the discovery of the truth. The easy answer to our title question is always that the Bible is the truth; and, while that is true, I have found it a little more complicated than that when it comes to specific applications in many of the decisions of our lives. Use your imagination for a bit. Imagine that you turn your attention to a news program and find any one of the “most trusted” (according to recent polls) anchors: Lester Holt, Anderson Cooper, Brian Williams, Chris Wallace, Chuck Todd, or any of a longer list. Seated beside them, or on camera from another location you see Caiaphas, the high priest of Israel at the time of Jesus’ arrest, and the Apostle John. The news anchor in an effort toward fairness cues a clip showing Jesus teaching the multitudes the Beatitudes. He then breaks to another clip showing Jesus overturning the money changers tables in the temple and driving them away with a bundle of grain stalks. Ultimately, he will show another clip of Jesus in chains and Pilate asking the question, “What is truth?” At that moment, any number of answers is likely. Caiaphas will certainly rail against the absurdity of thinking such a man could be stable. He may even go on a rant about the need for stricter control of dangerous weapons like a bundle of grain stalks being so easily accessible. His talking points would be checked off one by one to further his agenda and position. Finally the host catches the first responder in taking a breath and turns to John with the same question. He responds with example after example of how Jesus was kind, compassionate, an incredible teacher, and healer. Time runs out for the segment and we are left, like Pilate, wondering, “What is the truth?” So let’s go back to the starting point and answer the question: What is truth? The short answer is that the truth can only be found in faith. That is not a faith in a social or political position; it is not trusting in a system of governance; and, it is not a faith in any institution. The faith that brings us to truth is a faith in God. Only seeking him in a vibrant, personal relationship will bring us to the truth. And, that is the only truth that sets us free! Seek his face!