What is Truth?

John 18:38 New King James Version (NKJV)

38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.

Pilate's question has filtered through generations and through history like an Ominous question where everyone through time has at best attempted to answer the question. Pilates' conversation with Jesus ended with that question. This is a question that people (believers and unbelievers alike) struggled with in the past and will continue to struggle with till Jesus comes.

I tried to think, why did that conversation end there?

1. It could be that Pilate did not give Jesus any time to answer because some versions of the Bible say 'he retorted' meaning maybe Pilate got upset or irritated with the answers he was getting from Jesus and walked out

2. It could also be that Pilate was asking Jesus the wrong question and did not give Jesus enough time to answer.

That question asked centuries ago needs to be rephrased in order to be completely accurate. The Roman governor’s remark “What is truth?” overlooks the fact that many things can have the truth, but only one thing can actually be the Truth. Truth must originate from somewhere.

The reality is that Pilate was looking directly at the Origin of all Truth and the embodiment of Truth because not long before being arrested and brought to him, Jesus had made the simple statement “I am the truth” (John 14:6). So, a more appropriate question would have been 'Who is the Truth?' The Truth was standing right in front of him and Pilate didn't recognize Him because Satan the Father of all lies was at work in the crowd among the leaders of the synagogue screaming out false accusations and obscured his sight.

3. It could also be that Jesus paused because of the sheer weight of the question.

Having said that, it might still be appropriate to ask the question - What is Truth? - Truth is most often used to mean being in accord with fact or reality, or fidelity to an original or standard.

The Greek word for “truth” is aletheia, which literally means to “un-hide” or “hiding nothing.” It conveys the thought that truth is always there, always open and available for all to see, with nothing being hidden or obscured. The Hebrew word for “truth” is emeth, which means “firmness,” “constancy” and “duration.” Such a definition implies an everlasting substance and something that can be relied upon.

During the trials of Jesus, the contrast between the truth (righteousness) and lies (unrighteousness) was unmistakable. There stood Jesus, the Truth, being judged by those whose every action was bathed in lies. The Jewish leaders broke nearly every law designed to protect a defendant from wrongful conviction. They fervently worked to find any testimony that would incriminate Jesus, and in their frustration, they turned to false evidence.

Jesus the Righteous was being judged by the unrighteous. The sad fact is that the latter always persecutes the former even till today. In the face of the onslaught of lies and the deception of our time where Wrong is called a Right, Black has taken on many shades of Grey in an attempt to bring it as close to White as possible, Evil is Celebrated as Good, Men are Women and vice versa. In the face of circumstances and challenges of life, can we for a fact say that we know the Truth? - The Truth can only be found in God's Word, in Jesus – the Word made flesh – John 1:14.

As an Aside - Pilate never came to a knowledge of the truth. Eusebius, the historian and Bishop of Caesarea, records the fact that Pilate ultimately committed suicide sometime during the reign of the emperor Caligula—a sad ending and a reminder for everyone that ignoring the truth always leads to undesired consequences. He had an uncommon opportunity to know the Truth but missed it.

HOW CAN WE KNOW THE TRUTH?

1. Immerse Yourself in The WORD

The promises which tell us that we are never alone and He will never forsake us. The truth which affirm us of our identities, the many truths which remind us of how faithful He is even when we are not, and the promises which strengthen us when we are weak. If we keep God’s word in our hearts, we will be able to stand no matter how turbulent life gets.

A. We read in Romans 8:28, “And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

B. “He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.” Psalms 57:3 NKJV

2. Immerse Yourself in God's Nature

What do I mean? Romans 1:20 – "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, so that they are without excuse,…."

David saw God in all His creation. This drew him into deep levels of worship.

Song: All heavens declare, the Glory of the risen lamb

“The heavens declare His righteousness, And all the peoples see His glory.” Psalms 97:6.

Psalm 19:1-6 NIV

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. 4 Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth

When you understand some of God's creation – some truths about God's nature become real to you.

Jesus said, “I am the . . . bright Morning Star” (Rev. 22:16).

3. Immerse Yourself in Worship: A knowledge and appreciation of His nature leads us into deep levels of worship – not like the world who turn around and worship the creature – but worshipping the Creator - Majestic mountains - “Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep;….” Psalms 36:5-6 NKJV

4. Immerse Yourself in His Love

For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting. John 3:16

PRAYER POINTS

A. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” - John 16:13 NKJV

B. Guide me in Your Truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long – Psalm 25:25