John: I AM...the Truth

I am the Way, and the Truth...  [John 14:6 NAS]

                                            

Truth [true, loyal, trustworthy, sincerity, honesty, genuineness

Falsity [false, untrue, misleading, misrepresent, dishonest, deceitful]

Have you ever been lied to?  Most likely the entire world could answer that question in the affirmative.  Have you ever been cheated, mislead, or deceived?  Again, the answer is “yes” for most of us.  It is, unfortunately, a common part of every day life that goes to the very core of human relationships. In answer to Thomas' inquiry, Christ made the startling statement that He was TRUTH [no falsehood, not deceit, no dishonesty: a pure, transparent life].                                                                                                      

When Jesus was being interrogated by Pilate, the discussion turned to His kingship or kingdom.  Pilate asked: “So – you are a King?”  Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king.  For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” [John 18:37 NAS].  Jesus came to earth as The Truth – living a life of total purity and honesty, revealing the true nature of God, and the truth of God’s unconditional love for humanity.

Pilate’s immediate reaction was brief and cynical.  One can almost hear his snort of derisive laughter as he asked, “What is truth?”  Truth according to whom?  The ruling political party?  The minority leadership?  The media?  The baldly deceitful religious leadership?   Pilate’s contemptuous view of “the truth” was so intense, he didn’t even wait for an answer, but stalked from the room.  There was very little “truth” to be found in the world according to Rome.

I’ve always wondered what Jesus would have said if Pilate had remained in the room to hear Christ’s answer.  It would not have changed the course of the Savior’s destiny, but it might well have saved Pilate’s soul.

Then, God of truth, for whom we long,
Thou who wilt hear our prayer,
Do Thine own battle in our hearts,
And slay the falsehood there.