John 18:38 – “What is Truth?”
Just before Jesus was crucified on the cross, he was brought before the Roman governor in Jerusalem, Pontius Pilot. After a series of questions by Pilot, Jesus said “for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” Pilot responded with “What is Truth?” My thoughts on this are below. But for your convenience, here are the verses:
John 18:37-38 (NIV)
37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.
So, what is truth? There are too many references in the New Testament where Jesus says “I tell you the truth…” or “Truly, Truly, I say to you…” to mention here, but take some time and look them up. You’ll be amazed.
Here’s my feeble attempt at an answer.
Throughout the Bible, we read about people coming to God, then falling away. Worshiping God, then starting to worship other gods and idols of this world. People serving God, then choosing to serve themselves. This pattern is repeated several hundred times!
God says I AM the only God. We should worship and serve ONLY HIM!
But if truth is relative, and everyone’s religion and spirituality is just as good as anyone else’s, then what’s the harm in worshiping money, our jobs, our hobbies, other “gods”, ourselves? The answer? We are harming our relationship with the One True God.
I believe Jesus was saying that truth ISN’T relative. God IS real. Jesus’s teachings, and His redeeming sacrifice on the Cross is real. His resurrection is real. We can have eternal life with the father by accepting Jesus’s sacrifice…that is the truth!
So, what is truth? Even though we all sin and don’t deserve it, God loves you and wants an intimate relationship with you. Jesus was God in the flesh and came to earth to die for your sins, so that you can have eternal life and fellowship with the One Truth God. All we have to do is accept this precious gift. Amen!
Filed under: General, Truth Project