Devotional: What is Truth? John 18:28-38

“Pilate said to Him, ‘What is truth’” (Jn. 18:38, NASB).

The question that Pilate asks Jesus has significant value for us today. There are con artists; scam artists that take advantage of vulnerable people on a daily basis. They target the elderly, the young and unlearned, the poor, and anyone that will listen to their lies and words of deception. They use mail, email, social media, and person to person approaches to engage unsuspecting potential victims. These victims have their own motivations that cause them to fall for the scam. Maybe, they are hearing something that they wish were true and they do not take time to consider whether what they are hearing is truth or lie. We should all be like Pilate who asks Jesus, “What is truth?”

Jesus is brought before Pilate the Roman governor in Jerusalem. Jesus is accused of breaking the laws of the Jews. Since the Jews do not have the authority to crucify Jesus, they attempt to convince the Roman governor to do their dirty work. Pilate will not crucify Jesus unless He has violated a Roman law that is punished by crucifixion. The Jews accuse Jesus of claiming to be a king. This is a violation of Roman law that is punishable by crucifixion. Pilate asks Jesus if He is a king. Jesus replies that He is a king, but His kingdom is not of this world. His kingdom is not a threat to Rome. Jesus is not a threat to Caesar

Jesus admits that He is a king. He is born a king. His purpose is not to overthrow Rome. Rather, His purpose is to testify to the truth. “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (v. 37). Pilate does not know what truth according to the words of Jesus is. Those who hear Jesus’ voice belong to Him. They hear His voice and follow Him (Jn. 10:14-16).

In this context, the truth that Jesus speaks about is the truth of God that sets men and women free from sin (Jn. 8:31-32). By extension we can say that knowing the truth and hearing the voice of truth sets us free from the penalty of sin. The truth frees us from the power of sin found in the form of lies and deceptions of those that seek to take advantage of unsuspecting people. Do not believe words of people that sound good. Stop and think about what is being said. Pray and ask the Lord to guide your thoughts and decisions.

Yes, I have been deceived. I should have known better. I did not think about what was being said to me. I did not pray before I made my decision. The inner voice that I heard was not the voice of Jesus. I should have been like Pilate. I should have asked Jesus, “What is truth.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus we confess that You are truth. Forgive us for listening to other voices that deceive us into making bad decisions. Amen