What is Truth?

John 18:33-40

“What is truth?” that is not a new question, it was ask by Pilate in reply to Jesus stating, “My kingdom is not of this world,” and then Pilate’s reply, “So you are a king?” As you read Jesus reply to that question, ponder the depth of His reply.  In that reply is the answer to the deeper things of God, do not look at the surface, but ask the Spirit of Truth to allow you the ability to see below the surface to penetrate into your soul.  Jesus’ reply: “You say that I am a king. 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 18:37b ESV)

So before going forward we must define “Truth;” “Truth has a variety of meanings, such as the state of being in accord with fact or reality. It can also mean having fidelity to an original or to a standard or ideal. In a common usage, it also means constancy or sincerity in action or character. The direct opposite of truth is falsehood, which can correspondingly take logical, factual, or ethical meanings.”  (From Wikipedia)

Webster’s defines “Truth” as; the quality or state of being true; specifically, a) formerly, loyalty; trustworthiness, b) sincerity; genuineness; honesty, c) the quality of being in accordance with experience, facts, or reality; conformity with facts.”

It might be wise to look at what people of our history have said about truth, we know that Pilate asked of Jesus in a jesting way, “What is truth?”  But what have others said about truth; Albert Einstein said, “Anyone who doesn't take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either.”  We have these words from Buddha, “There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.”  Mahatma Gandhi said, “When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.”  Often Sir Winston S. Churchill’s saying was on spot; “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.”

But what does Jesus say to support the statement above, is He a witness to the truth? Look at John 4:23-24, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”  Do you recall Jesus saying the following, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  (John 14:6 ESV) (Note: that did not come from a religious person that came from the One who it is said about) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:1-3)

When it comes to Jesus my mind and my soul is in agreement with the great prophet Isaiah,  “O Lord, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” (Isaiah 25:1 NKJV)  It is a wise person who learns from history, so take the words of Churchill, and do not be that man, “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice