It does not take long to see that John’s Gospel speaks directly to our situation. In one of its critical scenes (John 18), Jesus and Pontius Pilate face off over the definition of truth. The confrontation could have taken place in our own White House. Pilate asks Jesus if he is a threat to his authority. That, after all, is what a King of the Jews would be. Jesus assures him he is not interested in overthrowing his government. “You don’t see any army, do you?” He then goes on to explain he is a teacher of truth, and Pilate, perhaps with a laugh, responds cynically, “What is truth?”
Wham! We are right in the middle of our present debate about fake news. Pilate is claiming truth is whatever Rome tells us is true. Those who have power define truth for the rest of us. Jesus rejects this way of thinking, claiming the truth he speaks and lives is embedded in creation. It endures even if Pilate kills him.
The irony of the situation is caught when we remember Jesus declared in the 14th chapter, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” That means Pilate is pompously asserting that any sophisticated person knows there is nothing like truth– at the very moment Truth is standing right there in front of him.
Sadly, we too often reduce the meaning of this “I Am” passage to an ultimatum about believing in Jesus being the only way you are going to get into heaven after death. If you take a little time to appreciate the context of the passage and the fact that the three words are meant to be read together, you soon realize Jesus is talking about truth as a way of living in harmony with God who establishes what is true and false. Jesus sees things from the perspective of the Father who made them. We are able to discern truth all around us, if we see things like Jesus sees them. In other words, Jesus’ claim to be “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” is primarily an offer to show us how to live to the fullest, now as well as in the future.
That’s why he declares in chapter 8 that truth sets us free to enjoy real life at its deepest levels. Truth telling is creative; lying is self-destructive. It is also why the magnificent prologue to the Gospel maintains that Jesus can bring blessing and truth, because he is the living Word by which God made everything and through which he is still creating.
Again we have to be careful that we do not reduce this concept of truth to something experienced and then recorded in stone 2000 years ago. At John’s Last Supper, Jesus promises his followers that they can continue to share his spirit even after his death. It’s significant that he continually speaks of this as the Spirit of Truth that brings everlasting peace. I take this to mean that the search for truth is an ongoing conversation in which we humbly participate.
However, we still have not defined the central characteristic of John’s understanding about truth. The other theme found throughout his writing is love, which John presents as the exact opposite of Pilate’s power. In the Gospel, Jesus promises you find truth when you love each other as he loves you. In his letters, John writes you have not yet found truth, if you fail to see your sin, if you cannot love other people, if you still fear God will punish you, or if you refuse to recognize Jesus is the Christ who reveals God’s truth. In the beautiful 4th chapter, John writes that you will never be afraid to tell the truth if you have faith that “God is love.” Paul shares this thought when he says that Christians speak the truth in love.
Once again, I began writing this lesson supposing it would be an abstract examination of a biblical teaching and found myself marveling over and over how much our leaders echo Pilate’s thoughts and actions. Pilate for all his bravado about having the power to define truth in this situation comes off as a buffoon. He pretends to value the voice of the people; then tries to wash his hands of what they want. He mocks the people and Jesus by repeatedly presenting our Lord as the King of the Jews, even placing it on a sign at the execution, inadvertently proclaiming the truth in spite of himself. He tries to deny any accountability for his actions, but Christians weekly assert that Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate.
John’s description of truth gives us hope in these dark days. It reminds us truth is of God and endures beyond all human efforts to deny it. Finally, I’d like recommend you watch Kerry Walter’s video. Father Kerry offers an amazingly complete and profound picture of Christian love in just 10 minutes. It complements this lesson on truth perfectly.
