John 18:28-40
Jesus' Is Ask "What is Truth"
28 Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because 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,” they objected. 32 This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die.
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. “Your own people and chief priests 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 Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
38 “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there 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 an uprising.
Different people have ideas on what is Truth...Pilate ask Jesus what is Truth, but it does not seem like a genuine or sincere question as one reads the context around his questioning Jesus...Jesus is calm, yet knowingly about to die on the cross, and yet Pilate seems, to me, much apathetic to the whole trial of Jesus...Pilate showed little genuine concern for Jesus' well-being or the Truth of His claims...His "What is truth?" was only his rhetorical question and response, a dismissal of the profound spiritual reality that stood before him...Empathy as we read about Jesus and Pilate is important...Empathy is woven into Truth...Empathy is not simply a "nice add-on" to Truth; it is intricately woven into the very fabric of Truth itself, especially as it relates to our interactions with others...So when Jesus tells us to love God and love our neighbors we are have empathy...Truth, when delivered without empathy is non-feeling and inhuman...Truth without empathy can become a weapon, a tool for judgment and condemnation...It can be used to shame, to humiliate, and to inflict pain...This kind of "truth" is not a reflection of God's LOVE but a perversion of it...
G.K. Chesterton, the brilliant and often paradoxical writer, offers his profound insights into the nature of Truth...His observations on Truth and what is Truth, while seemingly contradictory at times, highlight the complexities of our pursuit of Truth and the challenges we face in navigating a world often awash in misinformation and half-truths...
Chesterton wrote: "There is a case for telling the truth; there is a case for avoiding the scandal; but there is no possible defense for the man who tells the scandal, but does not tell the truth."...
Chesterton's statement underscores the importance of honesty and integrity...While there may be times when it is wise to avoid unnecessary offense or scandal, intentionally withholding the truth for self-preservation or to avoid social repercussions is morally reprehensible...Truth, for Chesterton, is not merely a matter of personal convenience or social acceptability...It demands honesty and integrity, even when it may be difficult or inconvenient...
Chesterton added that: “Truth is sacred; and if you tell the truth too often nobody will believe it.”...
This seemingly paradoxical statement highlights the challenges of living truthfully in a world that often values expediency and self-preservation over honesty...It seems some people would rather follow a conspiracy theory or half truths or talk about truths out of context to prove a point or to feel comfortable...In a world saturated with deception and misinformation, constant truth-telling may be met with skepticism and disbelief...
Chesterton also said this about whole truths and half truths: “The whole truth is generally the ally of virtue; a half-truth is always the ally of some vice.”...
This statement emphasizes the dangers of selective truth-telling...Half-truths can be distortions and outright...Half truths can be lies and have devastating consequences...They can manipulate, deceive, and ultimately undermine the very foundations of a just and virtuous society...Politicians who manipulate the truth through misleading statements, half truths, or outright lies erode trust in the political process and undermine the foundations of democracy...People who speak only in half truths erode trust and intimacy, leading to conflict and ultimately, the breakdown of relationships...Half truths create social decay...The widespread dissemination of misinformation and "fake news" can have a corrosive effect on society, leading to division, distrust, and a breakdown of civil discourse...
Speaking truth to power often comes at a cost...It may lead to social ostracism, professional setbacks, or even personal danger...
Despite the potential challenges, Chesterton emphasizes the importance of remaining true to one's convictions and speaking truth to power, even when it's difficult..."Speaking truth to power" refers to the act of challenging those in positions of authority – political leaders, religious figures, social institutions – when their actions or policies are unjust, harmful, or contrary to truth and justice...Speaking the Truth to those in power is a courageous act...
Chesterton's reflections on truth challenge us to examine our own relationship with truth...Do we value truth above personal gain?...Are we willing to speak truth, even when it's difficult?...Do we actively seek out truth in all areas of our lives?...So Chesterton saw truth as an empathetic guide, a light illuminating the path towards a more just and fulfilling human existence...It was not to be used as a weapon to condemn or to inflict pain...His Truth was laced with empathy that allows us to see the world from another person's point of view, to recognize their inherent dignity, and to approach Truth with humility and compassion...Chesterton saw the pursuit of Truth as a collaborative effort...He believed that through open and honest dialogue, we can learn from each other, challenge our own assumptions, and arrive at a deeper understanding of reality...
Chesterton's insights remind us that Truth is not merely a matter of personal opinion or subjective interpretation...Truth is a sacred and holy principle that undergirds all human relationships and is essential for a just and flourishing society...And we must ask ourselves about what we really do believe...Why believe in anything, unless it is the Truth...