What Is Truth?

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: John 18:38-40 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime. 39 But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?” 40 But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.) (John 18:38-40 NLT)

Pilate clearly understood that Jesus was not guilty of any crime. Pilate tried to avoid the issue by passing the responsibility back to the Jewish leaders who were merely using Pilate as their “hit man” to kill Jesus. Pilate even offered to release another prisoner named Barabbas to them and set Jesus free. Barabbas was actually the leader of a revolutionary group dedicated to the overthrow of Roman rule.

Even though Pilate saw the Truth, he was in a position where doing the right thing, the True thing, carried the risk of trouble with the Jews right at Passover when the city was filled with visitors from across Palestine and even abroad. To many people like Pilate, both in and out of government positions, truth is relative.

  • Truth may be whatever the majority of people are currently thinking.
  • Truth may be whatever advances their position and power.
  • Truth may be whatever advances their personal or political goals.

Truth is not “relative!” Truth is the basis for moral right and wrong. Truth is the basis for trust. And truth is more than a concept.

Truth is a person! Truth is embodied in the person of Jesus Christ—in his teaching, his commitment to his purpose, his love for his friends, and his sacrificial love for the world.

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. (John 14:16-17 NLT)

Prayer:

Father, You have sent your Holy Spirit to us to lead us into all truth. Give us love for the truth and open minds and hearts to recognize and obey the truth. In Jesus’ Name!