What is Truth?

John 18:37 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.” 38 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."

About once a month, I turn on Fox news or CNN to see the "news". I am usually frustrated by what I hear. For the vast majority of the discussions, there are people on opposing sides of politics, issues or ideologies battling over the hot topics of the day. What is amazing is how opposing sides use "truths" like slanted statistical work and expert economists to prove their point and establish their version of truth. The only problem is that the opposing side has a different set of stats and different experts that they believe firmly plant the truth in their corner. Most of these discussions end with each side yelling at each other to look at the facts, and the moderator saying we are out of time when the person they agree with the most gets in their best shot. It makes me wonder: Does any body really know what truth is?

Pilate in His examination of Jesus asks this same question. What is Truth? The irony of the situation is tense. Pilate is talking to The TRUTH. The only TRUTH. Pilate is interested and knows that something large is at work as the Jews are trying to kill an innocent man. He senses scandal and he is trying to figure out who or what to believe. Pilate makes one huge mistake.

Pilate turns away from Jesus. He leaves the truth and walks outside to the Jews. Christ is proclaiming the Gospel to him, but he is not listening. He is too busy trying to fix the situation. He wants to do his job, appease the Jews and get back on with life. With the way, the truth, and the life in human flesh ministering to him, he thinks it best to turn away and go haggle with the Jews outside. What a tragedy.

The tragedy of turning from Christ and Truth is not limited to Pilate by any means. There are many people who would even call themselves Christian today who don't believe the FULL Gospel. They would argue that the bible isn't real, Hell isn't real and that a Loving God would not ever Judge any one. They would tell you God exist as a partner that fuels their dreams of a better life, and is acccepting of all sins and understands our need to sin. There are other people who think that "we need to make Jesus more saleable in today's culture". They try to rationalize the miracles, commonize the salvation and make everyone feel good about themselves. In various different ways, many people have heard the Gospel and turned away from it. Like Pilate they have tried to negotiate their own safe middle ground. They have tried to be the judge of "What is Truth" themselves and establish that as religion in their lives.

Truth is this: God alone is Holy and righteous. We have been separated by Him by our sins. Following Christ alone out of our sins, and into life as we wage war against sin is the only way to escape a certain coming death as He alone is supreme. Death and judgement are certain. The Gospel is an urgent Truth that needs to be communicated with a passion.

Please do not turn away from the Truth if Christ as savior. Don't modify him to fit your life. Praise Him and His Truths.

He is the Yes and Amen!