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What is Truth?

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Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except by Me.” John 14:6. In our quest for truth we need look no farther than Him. The search ends right there. He is the Truth.

The Bible (and history) tell us that Jesus was crucified under the Roman procurator Pontius Pilate – arguably the most striking example of compromised leadership ever to be found in the Bible. And yet, what a testament to the sovereignty of God that Jesus would seemingly be subject to the authority of such a sold-out man. Pilate had been placed in his governing position as part of the Roman rule known as Pax Romana (latin for Roman Peace). In short, this type of rule allowed for a degree of self-government, but ultimately the Jews were bound by Roman rule. In the absence of absolute truth Pilate would serve two masters: the Roman leadership, and the Jewish people. In the protection of his own self-interest Pilate would have to please both.

When the religious leaders brought Jesus to Pilate, Pilate knew the truth: Jesus was not guilty. He made a weak attempt to avoid the betrayal of his own conscience – the selling out of Truth Himself, but that was futile. The kind of resistance necessary to stand against the deception and falsehood on that day would require far more resolve than he could ever posses. That day Pilate looked Truth square in the face and made the biggest compromise of His life. At one point Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” In reality Pilate was not asking a question but rather making a statement: Truth does not exist. You see, a compromised man can never be expected to execute true justice. That day Pilate’s weakness set into motion a series of irreversible events that would lead Jesus to a violent and gruesome death. Yet, despite the despair of it all – it was God’s plan! Scriptures confirm the sovereignty of God over and over, and here is hard core evidence that God is, and always will be on the throne.

God is Sovereign: Colossians 1:16 states, “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were create by him and for him. “ This is an amazing truth to anchor the Christian soul in uncertain times. God is sovereign. The word sovereign means having supreme rank, power, or authority. It suggests being above all others in character, importance, and excellence. What this means to you from a practical standpoint is that you will never find yourself in a situation that is apart from the knowledge and purpose of God’s plan for your life. In all his human frailty Jesus stood before Pilate knowing full well that His Father was in absolute control. Isaiah 54 says, “See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc…”

Ruled by Truth: Proverbs 28:1-2 states that, “The wicked man flees though no one pursue, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. When a country is rebellious it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.” In a basic sense, when Truth rules there is stability; when falsehood is king there is instability. Pilate, when understood within the context of God’s word was rebellious. He had many rulers. Voices of fear, voices of insecurity, voices of pride, voices of jealousy, voices of anger. They all clamored for him to do their bidding. In stark contrast, Jesus remained unmoved. He stood bold as a lion. The Bible says that “Even the wrath of man shall praise Him. ” Psalms 76:1. At the end of the day Jesus knew that Truth would prevail. God would have the final word and no power in hell or on earth would move him. Jesus was a man of understanding and he would maintain his order. If the voice that is speaking to you today is not the voice of Truth do what Jesus did. Shut it down. Don’t obey it. You don’t owe it anything. “For this is what the Lord says – he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it…I am the Lord, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:18. That is truth.

Hope in Truth: When Jesus faced Pilate he did not waiver. When we face uncertainty the truth of God is our hope. Psalms 146:6 says that the Lord is maker of all – “the Lord, who remains faithful forever.” To plead for truth in prayer is absolutely biblical. To appeal for God to move on behalf of truth is right. The Psalmist states in Psalms 33:5 that, “The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” As Christians we can bank on His truth. Part of God’s schooling is the lesson that things are never how they appear. Don’t judge a situation based upon how it looks in the natural. Rather, wait on a sovereign God to bring about His purpose. No matter what challenge is facing you today, hope in truth. Truth never fails!

Truth is a fundamental characteristic of God. It is the bedrock of our Christianity. To walk in truth is to walk in Christ. Deuteronomy 32:4 says, “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” Truth. Even if it costs everything you have, get it. Uphold it. Speak it. Worship in it. Walk in it. Esteem it. Plead for it. Meditate on it. Bind it around your neck. Abide in it. Obey it. Love it. Magnify it. Speak to one another in it. Rejoice in it. Make it known, and let the the truth of God in the face of Jesus be your treasured and joyous hope.