What is truth?

What is truth?

Pilate asks the question in response to Jesus’ stated reason for his ministry. Jesus had said that he came “to testify to the truth.” It seems he asks this question in jest, like truth doesn’t exist. From Pilate’s viewpoint, if there is no truth, what does it matter if he hands Jesus over to be hung on the cross. Did anything really matter?

If there is no truth, nothing matters. If there is a truth, everything matters.

What did Jesus mean when he said that he came “to testify to the truth?” We find his answer in the last chapter of Luke, before he departs earth.

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:44-47

Jesus said that he came to fulfill the writings in the Old Testament. Everything written thousands of years before he came was being fulfilled with his arrival, his death, and his resurrection. In this moment, Jesus “opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” Jesus opened the minds of his disciples so that they realized that was written in the Old Testament was about him. They now knew the truth.

And, everything in their life changed with this truth.

When Peter spoke to crowds, his goal was not to use flowery, convincing language. He simply connected the Old Testament writings to Jesus, testifying that it is true. You see this consistently in his speaking. In Acts 2, Peter connects the Old Testament writings of Joel and David to Jesus, and in Acts 3, he connects the words of Moses, Samuel, and Abraham to Jesus.

Everything in the Old Testament had been fulfilled through Christ. This was the truth. And for the rest of their lives, the followers of Jesus lived a life on mission, of purpose, of passion, of love for others.

The truth changes everything.

Without truth in life, there is uncertainty, indifference, and no purpose. Life is empty.

But with truth, there is certainty and purpose. Everything matters. My next conversation matters. Each day is material. Each second is precious.

In Acts 1 and 2, the Bible refers to those that understood this truth as “believers.” And, in Act 2, we are given a picture of what living as a group of believers of the truth looked like.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

Notice the lives of these early believers. Unity. Selflessness. They cared for others needs over themselves. Not materialistic. Gathered in homes. Ate together. They were glad and sincere, not fake. They praised God.

This is a description of a believer, those that discovered the truth. Jesus came to “testify to the truth” and now we see the impact of believing the truth. I am reminded of a verse that James wrote that says, “faith by itself isn’t enough. unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” The knowledge of the truth in these believers produced “good deeds.”

So, today, we desire to live like the believers mentioned above, but we fail. It is inevitable. The desire never leaves, but our actions don’t match our desires. Thank God for grace. Not automatic grace, but grace given to us through Jesus when we ask. There is no room for self-righteousness, only grace, knowing we all fall short.

The Bible exists for a reason. It points to the truth. The Bible is the one place to find peace, clarity, certainty, and meaning when the world around is unraveling.

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