What Is Truth? (John 18:38)

Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
John 18:38 (ESV)

Was Pilate truly seeking an answer to his question?

Pilate knew that there was something different about Jesus. He repeatedly said that he could find no guilt in Him. Yet he was also concerned about the crowd and the possible consequences of releasing Him. Pilate tried to find a way out. He tried to satisfy both sides. He had Jesus scourged. He offered to release Him. He eventually washed his hands of the matter. Yet in the end, he still gave Jesus over to be crucified. Pilate knew what was right, but knowing what was right and doing what was right were two different things.

We face the same problem. There are many situations in life where the answer is clear. Yes or no. Right or wrong. But there are also times when doing what is right may cost us something. That is when we begin to compromise. We may convince ourselves that what we are doing really isn’t that bad. No one will know. No one will be hurt. Everyone else is doing it. Maybe the circumstances justify it. Sometimes we can even convince ourselves that we are doing the right thing when, deep down, we already know the answer.

Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” The remarkable thing is that the answer was standing directly in front of him. Jesus had already told Pilate:

For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.
John 18:37 (ESV)

And earlier Jesus had said:

I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 (ESV)

Jesus did not say that He knew one version of the truth. He said that He is the truth. That is an important distinction, especially in a world where truth increasingly seems to depend upon whom you ask.

For the Christian, truth cannot simply be whatever we want it to be. Our decisions need to be held up to the light of Scripture and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Sometimes we will like the answer. Sometimes we won’t. Sometimes following Him may cost us something. But changing the answer because we don’t like it does not change the truth.

Pilate stood before Jesus and asked, “What is truth?” Perhaps the more important question is whether Pilate really wanted to know. The same question applies to us. When we ask God what is right, are we truly seeking His answer? Or are we hoping that He will agree with the answer we have already chosen?

What is truth?

Pilate had the answer standing directly in front of him.

Jesus Christ.

And the most important decision any of us will ever make is what we will do with Him.

Are you truly seeking the truth?

Turn to Jesus Christ.

Amen!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life. 

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