What is Truth?

The saga over the expense claims of many members of the UK parliament shows no sign of an early conclusion. Indeed, I found myself thinking of the radio programme, "Mrs Dale's Diary" - and if that means nothing to you, be pleased that you are so young!!

One of the many outcomes of this scandalous situation is the apparent evaporation of trust in our elected representatives. A survey, published earlier this week, suggested that some 75% of the British public don't believe that "honourable members" speak the truth or, to put it more bluntly (and, probably, 'politically incorrectly'!) that they are liars. Of course, one ought not to forget that there are many members who have not, selfishly, greedily, and fraudulently, abused the system. Unfortunately, as I frequently explain to pupils, it only takes a few bad apples to get the whole barrel a bad name!

Some 2,000 years ago, a prominent politician asked the profound question, "What is truth?" (Jn.18:38). He asked it of the One Who, alone, could give the fullest and most accurate answer. And Pontius Pilate - for that was his name - asked 'What is truth?'; not 'What is the truth about the accusations being made against You?' In other words, he was seeking, not factual information about a specific situation, but beyond that, to the very concept itself. However, for whatever reason - and speculation is not always helpful - the Lord Jesus makes no answer to this man. Of course, it could be because He has already given the answer to one of His disciples? In Jn.14:6, we find Thomas, in response to the Master's assurance that "There are many rooms in my Father's home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. ... And you know where I am going and how to get there" (v.2, 4) responding with "No, we don't know, Lord," ... "We haven't any idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?" (v.5) Jesus tells him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

"I am ... the truth". What an amazing claim! It seems to me that Jesus is stating, quite categorically, that He is the very embodiment of truth; that, in Him, and in Him alone, is real truth to be found; that all that is true finds its source and foundation in Him.

Decades later, one of the most prominent of the disciples of Jesus wrote these words to his fellow disciples in the Roman colonial city of Philippi: "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Phil.4:8).

Perhaps if politicians - at every level of government - were to follow Paul's advice, we would live in a more honest, more open, and much better society!