Lenten Word 33: Truth

The famous scene between Jesus and Pilate as recorded by John (18): 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." 37 Pilate asked him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." 38 Pilate asked him, "What is truth?"

Jesus' declaration about Himself and His purpose did not faze Pilate. Jesus states His kingdom is not from this world and had it been the fight would be great to keep Him from being handed over to the Jews. Pilate asks, "Are you a king?" Jesus responds that God has sent Him into the world "to testify to the truth," and that "Everyone who belongs to the truth listen to (His) voice." Pilate can only think to ask, "What is truth?'

It is part philosophical, part no-clue. Jesus' truth is the reality, power, strength, and love of God, and those who enter into a relationship with Him become part of the truth and should testify to the truth. Ours during this Lenten Journey is to get deeper into the truth of God and not wander off asking "What is truth?" The truth is that those who do not know the truth live a lie and if not careful die in that lie. Ours it know, love, and trust God and to tell others about God's love. That is truth.

PRAYER: Loving God, gracious and loving are You. Great is your truth as shared by Jesus Christ. May we seek to grow deeper in that truth so that our lives give witness to You in love, spirit, and truth. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.