Real Hope: Why Jesus Came to EarthSample

You Bear Witness To The Truth

‘What is truth?’ Great question. Also, it’s the obvious question to ask after Jesus has just given this reason for coming to earth. As you can read in John 18:38, the Roman governor Pilate did ask: ‘What is truth?’ But here in the Gospel of John’s account of Jesus’ trial, death and resurrection, the story goes cold on a direct answer. Instead, the next scene has Pilate telling the amassed crowd he finds no grounds for charging Jesus (John 18:38–40).

So, what happened to the truth? Did the governor get an answer then and there from Jesus? I don’t know but Jesus answered Pilate’s question before he even asked it. ‘I am the way and the truth and the life,’ Jesus already declared to His disciples (John 14:6a). Before that, He told Jewish people who believed in Him that ‘you will know the truth’ if you continue to follow Jesus’ instructions – and ‘the truth shall set you free’ (John 8:31–32).

Incredibly, Jesus revealed Himself to be the truth, as well as how the truth can be known. When He told Pilate that His purpose for coming to earth was to ‘testify to the truth,’ He seemed to be explaining that His mission was to remain faithful to Himself and what He’s about. I know. These are hard and deep things to understand. But keep listening to Jesus’ voice and seeking to know.

Written by BEN MCEACHEN