Has the "journey of a thousand steps" to somewhere meaningful in our world degenerated into an aimless wandering in a wilderness of nowhere?
Two thousand years ago Pontius Pilate, the Roman appointed governor of the Jewish State, voiced a scornful rhetorical response to Jesus at his trial. "What is truth?"
We all struggle today with a dismissive and discouraged attitude to the search for truth. I am continuously amazed in my own intimate circles at the scorn heaped upon forensic conversation of substance. "Keep it moving folks. Nothing to see here. Move along."
Meanwhile, sports talk radio waxes long on whether the Super Bowl wasn't really lost because the right tackle wore synthetic rather than natural cotton socks.
Some commentators have noted the irony of Pilate's quip "What is truth?" while looking Truth in the face. Let me explain. Jesus brought up the subject of truth with Pilate.
Pilate then said to Him, Are you a king then? Jesus answered, You say it that I am a king. To this end I was born, and for this cause I came into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice. Pilate said to Him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, I find no fault in him. (John 18:37-38)
Jesus also taught, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Mathematically speaking, we can say: The Way = The Truth = The Life.
In God's reality, Truth is the Way to Life. Truth is personified in Jesus. Only when truth is found and acknowledged can the opposing lie be properly defined. Before that occurs the lie is just another possibility for truth because the truth has yet to be found.
A doctor explaining the performance of figure skating stated that the body's senses must first locate the body in space-time before the skater can accomplish the dazzling maneuvers. Truth is not a luxury. It is the basis for moving on to the advanced maneuvers of life.
I talked to a young college student about Jesus. She was not sure of the truth of the matter. If Jesus was the Truth, then how come there are many religions in the world? Maybe we need to examine them all first?
Growing up I found certain foods that I liked, and I eat them. Yesterday I drove past an East Indian restaurant and I thought I should stop in and expand my palette...but easy on the curry at first! I have not eaten there yet, but neither have I stopped eating the the foods I like and know are good, in spite of not having tried a thousand different foods enjoyed elsewhere around the globe.
More critical than food is God's truth. A former alcoholic who has given his life to faith in Christ, and is living in sobriety, knows the truth firsthand. He does not fret that he has not tried opioids, pornography and crime. He is glad to be free.
The Psalmist wrote, "O taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD." (Psalm 34:8)
In contrast to God's reality is the worldly philosophy that truth is up for grabs. Maybe every generation must find its own truth? Maybe truth evolves? Maybe your truth is not my truth? Questions like these breed Pilate type scorn about there being a truth that may be found.
The "What is truth?" question swirls around us in a whirlwind of opinions. The search for truth itself becomes rhetorical. Lip service is given to finding truth by merely recounting anecdotal stories bolstering one's opinion and program.
Has the "journey of a thousand steps" to somewhere meaningful in our world degenerated into an aimless wandering in a wilderness of nowhere? Have we lost hope in absolute truth? Are we afraid to start the journey?
I posit that there is a meaningful journey to somewhere. He is the "the Way."
I affirm there is a truth to be found. He is "the Truth."
I believe there is eternal life in the midst of this wretched humanity which is the gift of God through the forgiveness of my sins. He is "the Life."
So please do not give into Pilate's skepticism about truth. In sincere prayer to God, ask "What is truth?" as a question and not a complaint. When you open your eyes you will see Jesus. He's been there the whole time.
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