Responses to the Truth

Light in the Darkness

Part 15: Responses to the Truth

John 18-19

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. John 18:36-38a

The Greek word for “truth” is aletheia, which literally means to “” or “.”

Truth involves at least two key elements:

• Truth always involves “.”

“It is the task of the philosopher to make distinctions.” Thomas Aquinas

• Truth always corresponds to .

37 “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.” John 18:37.

6  …“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

The Hebrew word for “truth” is emeth, which means “,” “constancy” and “.”

Eight responses to the Truth (Jesus Christ).

1) the Truth.

2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. John 18:2-3

1 …Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Romans 6:1-2.

2) the Truth.

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. John 18:10

15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15.

3) the Truth.

26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow. John 18:26-27

4) the Truth.

14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people. John 18:14.

59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. Matthew 26:59.

4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Matthew 9:4

5) the Truth.

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. John 18:37-38

6) the Truth.

5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”

6 As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” John 19:5-6

17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. John 19:16-18.

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Ephesians 1:7.

25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. Romans 3:25

7) the Truth.

33 …they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. John 19:33-35

8) the Truth.

38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. John 19:38-39a

How do you respond to the Truth?

1) Betray the Truth.

2) Defend the Truth.

3) Deny the Truth.

4) Reject the Truth.

5) Question the Truth.

6) Crucify the Truth.

7) Share the Truth

8) Embrace the Truth.