Westside Church of Christ

What is truth? Pilate posed the question years ago to Jesus (John 18:38). How did Pilate ask that question? Was he sincerely seeking an answer, or simply toying with Jesus? We don’t know the tone or body language, but we can know the truth that really matters. That is significant since the alternative is to believe a lie. Those are the only two options that we have.

Truth is presented as a very fluid concept. In this opinion, there is no absolute true-for- everybody fact. That is correct in some respects. When someone asks about our favorite color, that will be different from person to person. One says blue and the other says red. Both are true. Likewise with food, favorite sports teams or types of music. There are different true answers for diverse individuals, but a significant problem has emerged from that fact.

All truth is thrown into that basket and presented as universal. In other words, people are asked if the Bible is dependable or if Jesus is Lord and Savior. Those facts do not vary from person-to- person. Did human life evolve or did God actually form us from dust and the woman from Adam’s rib? There are a thousand-and-one questions that have various answers which are correct for each of us, and an equal number that are absolute facts which are true for everyone. We must not confuse the two.

Pilate’s question came at a unique time in history. It was a context of Jesus being a king and the concept of a kingdom. The Son of God had come as a living declaration and demonstration of truth (John 1:14). He declared Himself to be the truth (John 14:6). That is not truth for some and not for others. It is a fact or it is not. He is or He isn’t. He also declared the word of God to be truth (John 17:17). Everything about us hinges on our belief in these facts. Where do we stand?

Lies come in very attractive packages. The serpent tricked Eve with a lie. It cost her paradise and dragged the entire creation down with her. There are those among us who insist that Jesus was a prophet but not a savior. Others argue that He never existed. Jesus exposed this along the way when He questioned His disciples about what the word about Him on the street was (Matthew 16:13-17). Opinions were all over the place, and they were all wrong. Then Jesus confronted them with His question, “Who do you say that I am?”

There were not multiple correct answers, only one, and Peter got it right because His source for information was the Father. His word is truth, and we will get the absolute truth from Him. Live in His word, and we will know the truth. Nothing else will set us free.

Call to Praise: Hebrews 2:1-4

His word on it: Hebrews 2:1

Sermon: “Pay Attention”