What Really Is The Truth You Desperately Need To Know?
The truth. What is it? We search for it. We seek it. We really want to know. In our conversations, in our own lives, in our relationships, in our family and even our court rooms we say we want truth. Yet, do we always? Or do we only want “our truth”? When I look back at the memories of my past do I see the truth of all that happened? Then why sometimes is my memory different than what mom remembers or to that which my children may remember? Have I softened my own guilt in a situation? Where is the truth? Somewhere in the midst of all the different memories of an event, there is hidden there the real event with all the facts of it.
Of all the places we desire to seek truth, none are more notable than in a courtroom. Truth is needed; yet, even there can we ever really know the truth? Eye witnesses often recall an event with variances as to what they saw. Can I really trust my own memory of things? And so it was as Pilate wanted to know, “What is the truth about this man from Galilee, called Jesus? Why did the priests send Him to be tried under the roman rule?”
“33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”….36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” (John 18 NKJV)
THE KING OF TRUTH BEARING WITNESS TO THE TRUTH
Here stood Jesus on trial. He was about to face such brutal scourging, rejection, shame, and a cruel death on the cross. Yet, He stood calmly and strongly before Pilate. He answered the questions with no quiver of fear in His voice. My Kingdom is not of this world. The Prince of Peace stood before Pilate bearing witness of His Father who was Truth Eternal. Jesus, the perfect echoing of God the Father-in Truth, Righteousness, Justice, and Love. Perfectly one with the Father in character and attributes, Jesus had come to earth for this very purpose. He had come to bring truth, justice, and light to fallen, rebellious hearts that grappled in their own darkness. Jesus had already declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJV). He had proclaimed in John 15:1 that, “I am the true Vine—the life giving sap which brings forth fruit for the kingdom without whom there would be no hope of true life for any.” He is the true bread that satisfies our hungry souls. (John 6:5) and He is the true light that pierces into the darkness of our own hearts to bring truth. (John 1:9)
THE DARK AND HIDDEN AGENDA OF THE PRIEST
Caiaphas had brought Jesus to the judgement hall; yet, did not enter so that “he might not be defiled.” To walk into the judgment hall during Passover would have been a defilement. Still he did not look at the truth of his own heart. Caiaphas said that Jesus had “broken the law by having declared Himself equal with God.” That was the offense that Caiaphas said was the reason to bring Jesus before Pilate. Yet, we read earlier in the book of John, the truth. Caiaphas held a prestigious position which allowed him some comradery with the Romans in authority. He had some bargaining power with the Roman rulers which allowed him some degree of power and luxury in his life. If Jesus had brought a rebellion; then, Caiaphas would have lost that position. For that reason, he had said; “it is better that one man die for the good of the nation.” (John 11:50).
GOD IS TRUTH—HOW DO I FIND THE TRUTH?
1. I begin by asking that the light of truth shine into the depths of my own heart. Unless I recognize the darkness of sin in my own heart; I can never understand the grace through which I am saved. “ For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).
2. Then I seek to know Him more through prayer and studying His word. Even that I must rely on Him to reveal to me the truths of His word. God has promised to answer this prayer to reveal His wisdom to those who seek it. We should pray as David in Psalm 119:18-19 “Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.19 I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.”
3. However painful the real truth may be at times, I then ask God to reveal to me the truth. Only through seeking the truth can my heart be healed from all its scars and blemishes. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;
24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139).
4. Never forget, that Christ died on the Cross to take upon Himself all your sin, your guilt and your burdens. He is the truth of Grace. He removed the chains from you. He heals the wounds of your heart. That truth cling tightly to. You and I who believe in Christ as our Savior are saved by GRACE ALONE—Thank God for That!! Because of that I can face of the truth of my past, the truth of my failures, and the truth of my heart. Ephesians 2: (NKJV) 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Because of His Grace toward me, I can be transformed into a vessel of Grace toward those around me.
God is the truth that will transform our hearts today and throughout eternity. The Gospel story is the truth my heart needs.
The song I chose for you today is: Speak Oh Lord
The original photo is used with permission unsplash.com\María Victoria Heredia Reyes The quote I added.
New King James Version(NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.