Lent | The God Who Tells the Truth
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“What is truth?” It’s a question Pilate will ask Jesus in John chapter 18. We’re not there yet in our Lenten journey. We’re not yet ready to talk about his trial, the untrue accusations, the unfair punishment, and the unjust sentencing. We’re not yet ready to talk about how the ironically true message on the sign above his cross–that He is the “King”–is both the mockery of the unbeliever and the praise of the believer. We’ll get there. But this question that Pilate will ask, “What is truth?” is one that Jesus has already been answering for His disciples.
We’ve been following this path from the loving heart of our God in heaven who chose to save us (that was our topic on Ash Wednesday),
then we rejoiced in our marvelous God who would become flesh and blood for us (that was two weeks ago).
Then we heard Jesus’ call with amazement as we discovered that Jesus knows us and calls us to follow Him (that was last week).
As we walk with Jesus in this life as a disciple, we hear Him teach, and we give “Glory to the God who Tells the Truth.”
Truth is hard to sort out these days.
It can be hard to know what reality is. (Give examples, possibly including: News media, experts, reporters, all claim to give truth, but sometimes it turns out to be wrong, or worse, a lie. Satire news is a joke, but sometimes becomes our bizarre reality. A.I. generated images and videos can fool us.)
It can be hard to know if someone is lying. (Share a time you were fooled by some serious deception, like a scam, or playful deception, like a prank.)
It can be hard to know what to think about faith and life. (Different teachers, churches, and denominations often disagree on things.)
Jesus always knows what is reality, what is true, and what is right. He tells the truth very plainly to His disciples and all who come to hear Him.
In John 8:24 He is in an argument with the Pharisees.
I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
Jesus doesn’t pull any punches. He says it how it is.
And this bad news isn’t just for the Pharisees, but the fallen condition affects us all.
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
Show me someone who doesn’t practice sin. Show me your grand plan for escaping the prison of sin. We’ve got nothing to show.
This is our reality. This is our truth. and it’s cold and hard
People don’t like to be told “no.”
People don’t like to be given the bad news.
Nobody wants to feel bad or inadequate.
But you’re not going to take the medicine unless you know you are sick. And it’s because He knows us and loves us that He tells us the truth. And no one goes to the doctor to hear only good news.
But there’s more to the truth. There’s also the Good News of our freedom and the invitation to remain in the Word of God that is true, that is freeing, that gives life.
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
The beauty of Christianity, the beauty of the news that Jesus brings, it that is not only points out the problem, but shows us the solution as well.
He not only points out our slavery, but declares freedom
He not only accused of sin, but declares forgiveness
He not only confronts our darkness, but invites us into His light.
(Share a story of someone whose life was completely turned around by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
John Newton is one such example–a slave trader turned into an abolitionist, evangelist, and the author of “Amazing Grace.”)
The truth saved John. It changed Him. And it guided Him.
There’s one more bit of truth I’d like to point out in our Gospel reading.
So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.
Jesus says that when He is lifted up, that’s when we see the truth and know the truth.
When is He lifted up? When He is nailed to the cross.
This is your truth to cling to today. Even when everything else is confusing. when all information contradicts, Even when the world is lying. Even when Satan is deceiving.
You can rejoice: “This is the truth that sets me free, Christ is crucified for me.”
For Jesus himself says:
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Rest today in the truth of Jesus. In the truth of His salvation. The truth of your freedom and life forever. All glory to the God who is the truth.
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