Bible Passage: “‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate. Jesus answered, ‘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.’ ‘What is truth?’ retorted Pilate.” (John 18:37-38 NIV)
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 4:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:21
My kids regularly come to me to mediate an argument.
Each of them has a very different version of what happened, and each is equally positive that the other is “lying.”
As an impartial outsider, I can usually see how both sides have some merit, and no one is usually “lying”—they are perhaps emphasizing or interpreting things differently, but each is sharing part of the truth—not the full truth itself.
It’s a common cultural practice to hear people claim “My truth!” when sharing their version of events or thoughts on a matter.
“That’s my truth, and you can’t dispute it—it’s MY TRUTH.”
When people say that, of course, what they are really sharing is their opinion on something. Ask 4 witnesses to describe a car accident, and you’ll likely get 4 slightly different answers, not because anyone is lying, but because of their different vantage points.
Truth itself can’t be “mine” or “yours.” Truth is not tainted by opinion or bias—truth is objective, and we believe it is grounded in God. He values truth highly, and so should we.
So how does a man navigate a world of differing opinions, all making truth claims, when our media, leaders, and even other Christians all claim to speak “the truth”— even when that “truth” contradicts what we think is true?
It’s not a new problem.
In today’s verses, Pilate and Jesus have a famous exchange at His trial (John 18:37-38). Jesus claims that all who are on the side of “the truth” listen to Him. Pilate responds with a powerful question:
What is truth?
The Pharisees thought Jesus was a blasphemer. The crowds thought He was an imposter. The Romans thought He was a political threat. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God.
What’s the truth?
Of course, we know where the truth lies in this story. But Pilate’s question is not unreasonable, as he grappled to discover truth, and men must continue to grapple today.
How can we know and find the truth, especially in our age?
Pilate never found it and sent Christ to the Cross. But we are called to be better men than that.
Scripture calls men to seek out truth, test everything carefully in our search for it, and find it, even though it costs us everything (Proverbs 4:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:21).
This week, we will explore what it means to do just that.
Prayer: Lord, I know many voices claim to be speaking “truth” today, but I believe truth is ultimately found in You. Help me to discern rightly what is true and what is not, and to walk faithfully in Your truth. Amen.
Reflection: What voices in your life (media, preachers, political leaders, etc.) do you feel speak the most truth? Why do you think that?
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