By Fr. James McKarns
The question of Pilate before Jesus
After the Jewish guards seized Jesus, they brought him to Pilate, the current the Roman Governor, living in Jerusalem. The Jews had accused Jesus of being a criminal and requested Pilate to find him guilty so he would be executed.
When Pilate summoned Jesus, he began by asking a series of questions. Who are you? What have you done? Are you a king?
Jesus replied: “I came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice” (John 18:37).
Pilate made one further inquiry, now known as one of the greatest questions ever asked: “What is truth?” (John 18:38).
Jesus then remained silent as the Roman governor and the Lord Jesus faced each other.
The face of Jesus, like a divine magnet, drew Pilate’s awareness to the deep, spiritual-gleaming eyes of Jesus. There Pilate could see and understand the real meaning of truth.
The question before us
The question before us: What is truth?
The answer: Jesus is truth.
Jesus did not need to give a verbal definition of truth. His silence and very presence clearly proclaiming that he is the greatest truth. Jesus had taught, demonstrated and lived the meaning of truth during his entire ministry.
Truth is vital, truth is sacred, it is solemn, it is priceless, it is universal, it is divine, it is perfect.
Truth is Jesus.
Read it here
That word truth is repeated over 280 times in the Bible.
Here are a few examples from the Gospel according to John:
And the word became flesh…we saw his glory, the glory of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
God is Spirit and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth (John 4:24).
…you will know the truth and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).
I am the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).
So, what say we?
We can acknowledge that truth is Jesus’ and Jesus is truth. When we profess the truth, we are professing Jesus. When we deliberately lie and deny the truth, we deny and reject Jesus.
If we say, “we are without sin” we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8).
Today, truth is not well respected and often casually and deliberately ignored. For many people, lying is the preferred choice to deny some truths which they may find too difficult, or are afraid to admit.
Let this be our prayerful hope: that truth will be alive and thrive in our minds and hearts. Where there is truth, there is Jesus. If truth lives within us, then so will Jesus. In truth and in Jesus, the promise is given that his truth will set us free.
