What is Truth?

John 18:28-40

     During the recent election I tried to discern which candidate would be the best for each job prior to casting my vote. The deluge of opinions found in all forms of media left me wondering, "What is truth?" I go to the grocery store and try to  pick out foods that will provide nutrition and encourage good health. The labels and packaging that proclaim this benefit and that entice me to put them in the basket. Then I read the list of ingredients and ask, "What is truth?" - the bold claims on the front of the box or the empty calories outlined in small letters on the side?  Ads for different new and innovative medications promise a better, longer, good-looking life. Then the list of side effects appear - with a possibly much worse consequence than the medication is treating. Will I actually have a better life while on the medication? What is truth?

     And then I search for the truth about how to live while I'm on earth...or what happens after I die...

     When the religious leaders brought Jesus to Pilate for judgment, they were asked, "What accusation do you bring against this Man?". The answer they give does not include an actual accusation, "If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.". Translate - "Trust us, this guy is bad, or we wouldn't be bothering you right now." When something is being left out, it isn't the whole truth!

     Many religious leaders today would like to have us believe that as long as we've been good people while here on earth we will most certainly spend our eternity in Heaven - or at worst, just cease to exist. They are leaving something out, and when something is left out, it isn't the whole truth!

     In Psalm 14 we read, "...There is none who does good, no not one." To think that we can ever be good enough to get into Heaven by our actions is delusional. Because we all know that for every "good" thing we do, there are always "bad" things too! If good deserves to go to Heaven, then where should bad go? God calls the place our bad actions take us Hell. If Hell is left out, the whole truth isn't being told.

     When I die God will look at one action to determine where I spend eternity. That action won't be the committees I've served on, the hungry children I've fed, the dogs I've rescued - though all good, not good enough. The only action He will deem as worthy is my belief in His Son, Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus lived, died, was buried and rose again. And that someday, when His purpose for my life is finished, I will go home to live with Him in Heaven.

     Pilate asked Jesus, "What is truth?"

     Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life...no one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6)

     That, Pilate, is truth!