What is truth?

John 18:37-38

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

When the Jews delivered Jesus to be crucified, they sent Him to Pilate. Pilate was the one who pronounced the final sentence that Jesus should die. But he did not do this without first having conversations with Jesus. And although it seems that Pilate was, at times, searching for answers about who Jesus was, this conversation is telling. For here, he asks if Jesus is a king. For that was the charge of the Jews against Him—that He claimed to be the King of the Jews. And this would end up being Pilate’s superscription over Jesus’ head on the cross—“JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.” But when Jesus answered Pilate about whether or not He was a king, He redirected Pilate’s attention to the real reason that He came into the world. Although He was the King of the Jews, indeed, He was the King of the universe, that is not why He came. He did not come to reign or to set up an earthly kingdom. Otherwise, His servants would fight to prevent His being taken by the Jews. But, no! He came to bear witness unto the truth! And even when Jesus is being delivered over to Pilate to be executed by His own people, He is speaking the truth to all who will listen! He came to testify of the truth! And Pilate’s response is one of great significance. Did he care about what the truth was? Did he want to know it, to discover it for himself? He simply asked, “What is truth?” and left the hall to go speak to the Jews. He didn’t wait for the answer.

What is truth? Yes, what a question this is! It is a question well worth listening to the answer for! And what a Person to ask! Pilate did not understand that he was asking the One who was the embodiment of truth. Jesus had said of Himself, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” He IS the truth. The Lord Jesus is nothing but truth. Every one who is of the truth heareth His voice. That is to say, If you want truth, you will listen to Christ. If you are honestly searching for truth, you shall find it wrapped up in Jesus. Everyone who cares to know the truth will listen to the Lord. This is a time in which many are turning away their ears from the truth, and they are being turned to fables. Now, why is this? Only because they have turned away from Christ. My friend, if you turn from Christ, you have nowhere to turn. He is the only resort. In Him is truth found, and in no other place. Therefore look no further! Just find it in Christ, and you shall have the truth. And, as Jesus said, the truth shall make you free! Oh, my friend, do you have the truth today? And if you have the truth, to whom may you share it once again? For everyone needs the truth that is found in Jesus.

“Father, we thank You that we don’t have to look hard and long to find the truth. All we need to do is open the pages of Scripture, and read the words that proceeded forth from the Savior’s mouth. For He is the truth. And without Him, we have no point of reference for truth. Our hearts are burdened for those who haven’t found it. May we share Christ with them, for then they shall have the truth if only they will believe. And we shall praise You for it. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”