21 Days of DiscipleshipSample

The Face of Truth

Things are heading towards the climax of Jesus’ life. He’s been arrested, questioned, abandoned, struck, and now stands before a Roman representative named Pilate.

Pilate is really wrestling over who Jesus is and what to do with Him. At one point, in an attempt to prove Jesus was rebellious to Rome, He asks if Jesus is, in fact, king of the Jews. Jesus responds that His Kingdom is different from the kingdoms of this world. Thinking he’s finally got something, Pilate exclaims: “You are a king, then!”

Jesus responds: “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37 NIV

Ironically, Pilate retorts: “What is truth?” Not realizing that he was staring Truth in the face, because Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. 

Why could Jesus so boldly claim to be the Truth? Well, truth is defined as that which is consistent with the original or reality. And remember back to John 1. Jesus was with God in the beginning and He is God! So, He, more than anyone or anything else, is consistent with the Original. Because He is the Original! He was there from the very beginning. 

So, what we need to understand is that truth is not relative. It is relational and absolute. It’s relational because truth is a person—Jesus! And He has invited all of us to be in a relationship with Him. We can know truth because we can know Jesus. And Jesus doesn’t change. He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever! He was the same at the beginning, He was the same when He walked on the earth 2,000 years ago, and He is the same today as He sits on His throne. So, because Jesus doesn’t change, truth doesn’t change. Truth is absolute and we can depend on it every day of our lives.

Challenge: Get to know the truth today by getting to know Jesus! The more you know Him, the more you know truth, and the better you will be able to stand in a culture that is so deceived and confused.