Jesus’ Words in Red Truth on Trial

Jesus’ Words in Red

Truth on Trial

I came into the world, to testify to the truth.

Jesus declared…

 I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life

John 14:6

Jesus also said He would send the Spirit of Truth.

The world cannot accept the Spirit of Truth.

 John 14:16-18

2000 years ago truth was put on trial.

They could not change the truth.

Jesus Christ, the Truth, the Way, the Life prevailed.

He overcame their sentence of death.

Truth always wins.

Lies and deception will always produce death in time.

So what is truth?

Jesus Christ

For it is impossible for God to lie.

 Hebrews 6:18

Let God be true, and every man a liar.

Romans 3:3-4

Truth on Trial

Jesus declared…

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

 John 14:6

Jesus also said He would send the Spirit of Truth.

The world cannot accept the Spirit of Truth.

 John 14:16-18

2000 years ago truth was put on trial.

Truth was judged by the people.

Truth faced six trials in less than one full day,

three of which were religious, and three that were legal.

In the end, few people involved in those events

could answer the question, “What is truth?”

When Jesus stood before

the Roman governor, Pilate…

Jesus said, "You are right in saying I am a king.

In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world,

to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." 

"What is truth?" Pilate asked.

John 18:37-38

Jesus said…

“I came into the world, to testify to the truth.

Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."  

Truth was put on trial that day…

By the religious leaders the

government and the people.

They all rejected the truth.

So Pilate asked… “What is truth?”

Let’s first look at what truth is not…

  • Truth is not simply whatever works.

This is the philosophy of pragmatism – an ends-vs.-means-type approach.

In reality, lies can appear to “work,” but they are still lies and not the truth.

   • Truth is not simply what is coherent or understandable.

A group of people can get together and form a conspiracy based

on a set of falsehoods where they all agree to tell the same false story,

but it does not make their presentation true.

   • Truth is not what makes people feel good.

Unfortunately, bad news can be true.

   • Truth is not what the majority says is true.

Fifty-one percent of a group can reach a wrong conclusion.

   • Truth is not what is comprehensive.

A lengthy, detailed presentation can still result in a false conclusion.

   • Truth is not defined by what is intended.

Good intentions can still be wrong.

 
   • Truth is not how we know; truth is what we know.

   • Truth is not simply what is believed.

A lie believed is still a lie.

   • Truth is not what is publicly proved.

A truth can be privately known

(for example, the location of buried treasure).

So what is truth?

Truth today is still on trial…

By religious leaders, government, and the people.

People still want their

own truth, their own reality.

In order to get it, Jesus Christ must be removed.

The new buzz word in America is…

“Fake News”

It seems impossible to listen to the news

and not have to filter out bias reporting.

When news happens it is used as a

campaign against something or someone.

There are religious people who

try to say God is on their side.

Other people want to

remove God all together.

Some are violent and others peaceful.

You and I cannot escape the trial of truth. 

So what do we do?

I think Paul’s letter to

the Romans said it best…

“What if some did not have faith?

Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness?

Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar.

As it is written:

"So that you may be proved right when you speak

and prevail when you judge."  

Romans 3:3-4

People’s lack of faith

does not change the truth.

Even though the world judged

Jesus and condemned Him to death…

They could not change the truth.

Jesus Christ, the Truth, the

Way, the Life prevailed.

He overcame their sentence of death.

Truth always wins.

Lies and deception will

always produce death in time.

So what is truth?

Jesus Christ

For it is impossible for God to lie.

Hebrews 6:18

Scripture Reading

John 18:28-19:1 NIV

28 Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate came out to them and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?"

30 "If he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you."

31 Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law."

"But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected. 32 This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.

33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

34 "Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?" 

35 "Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"

36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." 

37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate.

Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." 

38 "What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. 39 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'?"

40 They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.