Livin Lively

By Peggy Lively  

          Many philosophers today claim that truth is relative. They say we all have our own ideas about truth. So what may be “truth” for you might not be “truth” for me. Do we really even want to know the truth? Pilate seemed like he wanted to know the truth.

          The Jews brought Jesus before Pilate to be judged by him, and the conversation went like this: 

“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. (John 18:35-38)           

          Pilate asked Jesus the question, “What is truth?” But then “he went out again to the Jews.” As I read this, I wanted to say, “Wait! Come back. You didn’t listen for the answer.” Jesus had just told him, “I came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” But Pilate didn’t listen to Him.

           Maybe if Pilate had waited and listened, he would have heard Jesus say, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Or he might have heard Him say, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) Or maybe He would have said, “I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.” (Isaiah 45:19)

            Are you seeking truth? Are you asking God a question that you desperately need the answer to? Then ask Him, but don’t walk away. Wait before Him and listen for His answer.   

“This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.” (I Timothy 2:3-6, NLT)