John 18:38-39 “What is truth?” Pilate asked Jesus. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?”
The final hours of Jesus’ life were conditioned by the sinful hearts of the religious and political authorities and one disciple. Each had a role to play in bringing about God’s plan of salvation for his people.
The religious authorities put Jesus through routine questioning at his trial. They knew what his answers would be since many of them had followed his ministry, had questioned him in the past and had been present at some of the places he taught. Some had hosted dinners and had invited Jesus to speak at their gatherings. They understood the negative impact his teaching was having on their control over the people. As Jesus’ followers grew in number the religious authorities’ control of the people shrank and directly threatened their customs and practices at the Temple.
The political authority was headed by Pontius Pilate. His job was to maintain peace in the occupied lands and prosecute any violation of Roman laws. The religious laws would be handled by the various religious leaders in the land. The Jews brought Jesus to Pilate because they were not permitted to execute anyone. It was the Passover and it not in their best interests to deal with such an “unclean” issue as Jesus. They washed their hands of any responsibility for him. When asked by Pilate whom he should release for the customary holiday pardon, they chose Barabbas, not Jesus.
In the world, truth is conditioned by the voices around you. Truth is not found on the lips of men or in the pages of a book. Truth is found in the loudest voices and the latest public opinion polls. What is best for our position and authority dictates to the world which voice will be listened to. Jesus listened only to God. Pilate listened to the loudest voice. Jesus made decisions based on the Word of God. Pilate made decisions based on the popularity polls of others. He chose the option that best suited his position, his power and his purpose. That is the world’s meaning of truth.
