What is truth?

Collins Concise Dictionary defines the word truth as:
1. The quality of being true, genuine, actual or factual.
2. Something that is true as opposed to false.
3. A proven or verified fact, principle etc.
4. A system of concepts purporting to represent some aspect of the world.
5. Fidelity to a standard or law.
6. Faithful reproduction or portrait.
7. Honesty.
8. Accuracy, as in the setting of a mechanical instrument.
9. Loyalty.

All the above points contrast what is true or factual to what is not true or factual. Truth will always be vindicated. Absolute truth will always be the absolute standard to judge lies, deceit and any falsehood. There are many voices in the world today clamouring for our attention proclaiming their own beliefs. They would have you to believe that only they have the truth, therefore you should listen to them and follow them. The truths contained in the Holy Scriptures have stood the test of time and will always stand the test of time. The true and living God's words will never pass away. (Luke 21:33)

The Roman Governor, Pontias Pilate asked the question "What is truth?" to Jesus of Nazareth; when Jesus was brought before him to be tried on criminal charges. Let's look at John chapter 18 for the record of this incident.

John 18:28-40:
"(28) Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas [Jewish High Priest] to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.
(29) Pilate then went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this Man?"
(30) They answered and said to him, 'If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.'
(31) Then Pilate said to them, "You take Him and judge Him according to your law." Therefore the Jews said to him, 'It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,'
(32) that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.
(33) Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?"
(34) Jesus answered him, 'Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?'
(35) Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?"
(36) Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.'
(37) Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, 'You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.'
(38) Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no fault in Him at all.
(39)  But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"
(40) Then they all cried again, saying, 'Not this Man, but Barabbas!' Now Barabbas was a robber."

For further clarity on the Jews actions let's look at Luke 23:1-2:
"(1) Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate.
(2) And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King."

Pilate had no jurisdiction in Jewish law, nor did he want that. As far as he was concerned the Jews should settle their own internal affairs. The crux of this matter was that the Jews had no legal rights under Roman law to put a person to death. They needed Pilate to give the sentence of death under Roman law.

In verse 37 Pilate directly asks Jesus if Jesus is a king. "Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, 'You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice'."

Jesus answers Pilate in the affirmative. He not only tells Pilate that He is a king, but that he was born a king. Now please note His following words, "...and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice'." He came to bear witness to the truth. He then tells Pilate, everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.

Pilate takes no real notice of what Jesus has just said to him. Instead he flippantly says, "What is truth?" and walks away. This is really an awesome moment in Pilate's life.

The One standing before him had already described Himself to his disciples in the upper room before His arrest in this manner.
John 14:6:
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me'." Jesus of Nazareth is absolute truth! The One standing before Pilate was truth personified! Pilate was staring truth in the face! If only Pilate had taken notice and done something about it!

We are no better. How often have we stared the truth of a matter in the face and rejected it? How often have we overridden our conscience? The key to this matter is to listen to the voice of Jesus. If you want the truth you must listen to His voice. He is truth! The four Gospels in the New Testament are full of His words and actions.

Pilate stated three times that he found no fault in Jesus, yet he condemned an innocent man to death by crucifixion. For political expediency he let the Jews release a condemned murderer and thief named Barabbas back into society and crucified Jesus of Nazareth instead.

What are your thoughts about Jesus of Nazareth? Do you believe that He is the Son of God? Do you believe He came to die on that cross for your sins? Do you believe that He is able to save you and give you eternal life? Do you believe that He is able to forgive you of your sins?

Can you say "Yes" to these questions? It's easy to believe something in your mind but when faced with reality will you put your belief into practice? It has to be a heartfelt belief to have any real effect in your life. Otherwise there is no conviction and commitment.

Many years ago there was a renowned tight-rope walker named Blondin. Blondin was famous for stringing a tight-rope across Niagara Falls on the USA/Canadian border and walking the tight-rope and doing stunts as well. He did this on a few occasions over the years. One time he asked the crowd if they believed he could carry a man on his shoulders and cross on the tight-rope from one side to the other. One man was quite vocal in his affirmation that Blondin could do this. Blondin told him to climb up on his shoulders and he would carry him across on the rope. The man took off like a shot from a gun! He only believed that Blondin could do it as long as it was not him on his shoulders! When faced with reality his belief quickly disappeared. Blondin in 1859 carried his manager on his shoulders across the tight-rope at Niagara Falls.

[Photo source: Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia]

 So when it comes to Jesus of Nazareth what do you truly believe? It's no good sitting on the fence. People sitting on the fence are not saved!

Jesus is able to do what He says he will do!

John 3:36:
"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

Jon PeaseyWords of Life blog www.jrpeasey.blogspot.com
Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

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