JESUS IS THE LIVING TRUTH THAT SETS US FREE
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It is early on the morning of the Sabbath. The Jewish leaders have long sought the chance to be rid of this Man Jesus who claims to be the Messiah. Roman law, under which the Jews are subject, does not allow them to sentence a man to death. They must send Jesus to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, to get his declaration of guilt and stamp of approval for crucifixion.
“Are you the king of the Jews?” – John 18:33
Pilate has heard the claims of Jesus and presents this question to Him. The governor interrogates Jesus in an attempt to uncover the reason for the Jews’ condemnation of Him. Jesus explains that His kingship, His rule is heavenly not earthly.
“My kingdom is not of this world… My kingdom is from another place.” – John 18:36
Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah… the One for whom Israel has been forever waiting. Yet He is not the mighty military leader the Jews expect the Messiah to be. He has not come to earth to save the Jewish people from Roman oppression. His kingdom is not a kingdom of earth but of heaven.
“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
We are heirs of the kingdom of heaven. This kingdom now reigns in the hearts of all believers. All who place their faith in Jesus are on His side of Truth. We are the ones who walk in His Light… His Light of Truth that dispels all darkness… the true Light that gives light to everyone (John 1:9).
“What is truth?” – John 18:38
Pilate poses this question to Jesus. It is posed as a rhetorical question… not truly anticipating an answer… nor even expecting that an answer exists. He poses this question merely for dramatic effect. Yet Pilate has no idea to whom he is speaking. The Man before him is the Truth. Jesus is the living Truth… the Source of all Truth… Truth manifested in all its glory.
Pilate knows only of the world’s truth. The world’s truth is thought up in the minds of man. It is subject to the moods of the times. It is as everchanging as the tides. Its foundation is as a home built upon sand… ever-shifting… prone to the battering winds and storms of life.
Pilate believes, as the world believes, that truth is relative. He can see that the “truth” of the Jews finds Jesus guilty. His own “truth” believes Jesus to be innocent. Pilate is aware of the ulterior motives behind the Jews’ accusations. Yet he acquiesces to their demands and washes his hands of all guilt. He allows the Jews to follow their own “truth”.
What is the truth that we, as believers, are to live by? What is God’s Truth?
“I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.”– Isaiah 45:19
God is the source of all Truth. God’s Truth is absolute Truth, eternal Truth. His Truth is different from that of the world. It is founded upon the character of God… wise, all-knowing and never-changing. We base our lives upon the solid foundation of God’s Truth.
“I am the way and the truth and the life.”– John 14:6
God revealed His Truth in the life of Jesus. Truth is fundamental to the divine nature of Christ. He is the sum of all the Truth of Old Testament prophecies and the gospel. We need only look to our Lord for a model of the living Truth.
“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” – John 17:17
God shares His Truth to us in His Word. It is the absolute Truth of God written out for us… inerrant, infallible, perfect. God’s Truth is reality based on His omniscient wisdom and knowledge, not on our own subjective standards.
“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” – John 16:13
God teaches us His Truth through the Holy Spirit. His indwelling Spirit guides us, counsels us and leads us in the Truth. He reminds us of the Truth we have learned so we can live a life of Truth.
“If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-32
God’s Truth is the bedrock upon which we build our lives. It is the moral compass that guides our lives. As we abide in Him, we come to understand how to live a life that upholds His Truth… a life that stands for His Truth in any and all situations.
God’s Truth ultimately sets us free. We discover the freedom that can only come through Jesus. For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). We are liberated from our bondage to sin and experience the freedom and glory of His salvation and eternal life.
