Imagine standing in Pilate’s place for a moment. A crowd outside is demanding your decision. You’re torn between doing what’s right and doing what’s easy. And staring back at you is Jesus, a man you know is innocent. Pilate’s question lingers in the air: “What is truth?” (John 18:38).
Pilate wasn’t the first to ask this. He won’t be the last. Today, we aren’t much different. We scroll through conflicting headlines, wade through half-truths on social media, and wrestle with differing worldviews. Truth can feel impossible to pin down.
But Jesus? He doesn’t hesitate. He says, “The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth.” (John 18:37). He knew exactly what truth was. Not because it’s a concept but because it’s Him. Jesus didn’t just speak truth or teach truth; He is the truth (John 14:6).
The Core of Jesus’ Truth
Jesus came to show us the heart of God. His life testified to a truth that’s bigger, simpler, and deeper than we often realize: God is love. A love so relentless that it walked alongside the broken, touched the untouchable, and gave everything—even life itself—for a world that didn’t deserve it.
This truth isn’t about exclusivity or pride. It’s about an invitation. Jesus’ truth doesn’t build walls; it tears them down. It bids us to love—not just God but others. And not just the lovable, but even those who challenge, frustrate, or oppose us. That is the radical truth of Christ.
When Truth Demands Action
Pilate knew Jesus wasn’t guilty. He even said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.” (John 18:38). But political pressure weighed too heavily. Keeping the peace with the crowd was more important to him than doing what was right.
It’s easy to point fingers at Pilate. But how many times have we, too, chosen convenience over conviction? We’ve seen someone mistreated and stayed silent. Maybe you’ve witnessed a co-worker take the heat for a mistake they didn’t make. Maybe you’ve noticed someone excluded or belittled but felt unsure of what to say or do.
Here’s the hard truth of following Jesus’ lead. When we believe in His truth, it calls us to act. Not with anger or superiority, but with courage rooted in love.
How Will You Respond to Truth?
The next time you hear Pilate’s question echoing in your life, “What is truth?” pause and remember. Truth is not a theory or a debate. It’s a person. It’s Jesus.
When an innocent person is harassed, when the marginalized are overlooked, when the world trades compassion for convenience—we are called to live out the truth of Jesus. To lend a hand. Speak a kind word. To love, even when it costs us something.
Can you believe in this truth without clinging to pride or exclusivity? Can you stand firmly in love, even when it’s uncomfortable?
Living the Truth Today
Where have you seen God’s truth in your life recently? Where have you encountered His radical love? And here’s the big one: how can you reflect that truth to someone else today?
Don’t wait. Start small, but start somewhere. Maybe it’s a kind word to someone who feels overlooked. Maybe it’s standing up for someone who’s being unfairly treated. Maybe it’s simply sitting with someone in their pain, reminding them that they’re not alone.
Jesus testified to the truth, not just with His words but with His actions. Now, He invites us to do the same.
Truth isn’t a question. It’s an invitation. Will you accept it?
