Truth

“What is Truth?” That is a question that many have wondered about over some two millennia. Pilate, the Roman Procurator, asked Jesus that question after the Messiah explained exactly why He came into the World.

“You are a king then?” Pilate asked.
“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”
“What is truth?” said Pilate.”  (John  18:37-38a)

I have long wondered if Pilate, who seemed convinced that Jesus had committed no crime, that there was nothing with which to “charge” Him, was beginning to realize who Jesus of Nazareth was in reality.

Don’t confuse this verse. In this exchange Jesus did not say He was a King, but rather reframed the subject and told Pilate why He was in the World. He had come as a testimony to Truth. That is why He was born, and why He came into the World He had created in Eternity past. Jesus had previously told those who would listen –  “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6). Now He was delivering that message to Pilate.

Many of those who lived in Israel wanted a Earthly King. Jesus was The Truth. The Truth, to end forever the curse of sin and death, would establish by his sacrificial ransom an eternal, victorious life here on Earth, and an eternal home for all who would believe – a place we call Heaven, and there in its totality, Jesus of Nazareth, the Spotless Lamb of God, the Messiah, would rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

With a heart open to the Gospel, perhaps Pilate might have come to faith. In his ignorance he chose to allow Christ to be handed over for death. On Sunday following His death, The Truth was alive again, forever, eternal, bestowing infinite llove and grace on all who will believe The Truth.

Will you?