John 18:38 Pilate said to him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them… Pilate received no answer, but, first, he did not wait for one, and therefore showed a disregard to its importance; and therefore, secondly, the Saviour saw that He was in a state of mind that would render an answer worse than useless. If a man asks the way to Zion with his face thitherward, direction will be thankfully received; but when a man abuses or neglects the light he has, more would only enhance his guilt and misery. So there are many inquirers who will succeed no better than Pilate. 1. The superficial inquirer. Truth is that which he is too frivolous to discover or comprehend. 2. The inattentive inquirer. He is too indolent to attain it. The promise of success is only to the diligent, "If thou criest after knowledge," &c. 3. The prejudiced inquirer. He never sincerely denies or impartially examines, and takes the Bible in his hand to raise objections rather than to sit at the Master's feet and become wise unto salvation. 4. The proud inquirer. Truth is too humbling for him to submit to. It is no easy thing to receive the kingdom of God as a little child. 5. The sensual inquirer. Truth is too holy for his lust, and he makes the Bible his enemy by his wickedness, and then hates it because it does not prophecy good. 6. The sincere inquirer. We will take the question from him rather than from Pilate. I. THE TRUTH ITSELF. 1. Moral truth, truth between man and man, consists in the agreement between our thoughts and words. Religious truth is that which shows us things as they are in relation to God and our responsibility to Him. Truth shows us things also as they ought to be, God being judge. It is possible for truth to be made known, and it has been made known so far as is necessary: and if this be admitted then in the Bible alone is it to be found in purity and perfection. This Word is truth. Some wish that Christ had answered the question. What light He might bare thrown had He said, "This is truth." But He has answered it, and you have His reply in your hands. And that reply is sufficient, whatever some may say. If you come to this Book and ask how it was that sin was permitted to enter into this world, &c., you will read no answer; but if you ask, "What must I do to be saved?" the response is so plain that a wayfaring man though a fool need not err. 2. Viewing the gospel then as an answer to the inquiry, let us refer to its facts. Now the birth, miracles, death, resurrection of Christ, &c., are facts, or they are nothing. Take, e.g., the Resurrection. Everything depends upon that, and if that be incapable of proof there is no event that can be proved by any testimony whatever — for the apostles were eye, ear, and hand witnesses (1 John 1:1). 3. But have not controversies arisen about Scripture doctrines? Yes; but observe the following rules and you will not go far astray. (1) Pray for guidance to the Father of lights. (2) Acknowledge no human authority in Divine things. (3) Remember that Christians do not differ so much as some imagine — when they pray they are all one. (4) Do not be guided by any single phrase, but by the entire texture of revelation — its strain and tendency. (5) That is likely to be truth which agrees the most with the experience of those who give the best evidence of being "born again" and "led by the Spirit." II. THE IMPORTANCE OF FINDING THE TRUTH. This importance — 1. Depends on the value of the truth itself. The gospel is the one thing needful. All the suffering in the world has arisen from the loss or absence of truth. Satan fell because "he abode not in the truth." While Adam abode in the truth he was safe; but as soon as he believed the devil's lie he fell, and involved all his posterity in his ruin. Idolatry is a lie, so is Pharisaism and Popery. What a blessing if they could all be driven back to the place from whence they came. 2. Appears from the character and procedure of God Himself. He is "the God of truth," and His Spirit is "the Spirit of truth." Observe — (1) What God has done for the truth. He has magnified it above all His name. A thousand miracles have been wrought for it, and ages have been employed to accomplish it. A whole nation was separated to be its depositaries and witnesses. Prophets and apostles were inspired, and ministers have been raised up to preach it. Christ was born to be a witness to it. (2) What has been done by it? It has abolished human sacrifices and gladiatorial exhibitions; softened the horrors of war; made marriage honourable; raised the tone of public morals, &c. "What has it not done for our country, our families, ourselves?" (a) By this truth we have been born again. (b) It has been our comfort in affliction. (c) It has fed our understanding. (d) It has opened a thousand sources of pleasure. (e) It prepares us for all the duties of life. (f) It will be our great solace in death. III. THE USE WE ARE TO MAKE OF THE TRUTH. We are — 1. To seek to understand it. Let us explore the length and breadth of our heritage. 2. To apply it to the purposes for which it is given — not to gratify the curiosity, amuse, or furnish matter for controversy, but to believe in Jesus Christ and have life through His name. 3. To confess it. While we are to believe "with the heart" we are to confess "with the mouth." "Whosoever shall be ashamed," &c. 4. To defend it. "Earnestly contend for the faith," &c. 5. To diffuse it. (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. |
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