Can You Know God?

Hours before Jesus was nailed to a cross, He conversed with Pilate in the early morning hours. Pilate asked a question that has been passed down from generation to generation. Pilate’s question is found in John 18:38, which says, “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.”

What’s the question? Pilate asks, “What is truth?”

Pilate asked this question in response to Jesus’ statement in verse 37, “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” Pilate’s question was most likely in a cynical tone, almost as if he asked, “Who cares?” But should we care? Should we care what truth is?

Earlier in Jesus’ ministry, He made a bold claim, one that many have tried to disprove or claim we cannot know. Jesus said in John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” He also says in John 14:6, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” In Greek, the word “truth” conveys a sense of divine revelation or something that cannot be hidden. Jesus claimed to be the truth and has revealed Himself to be known.

Truth is a person. Truth is knowable. When we look to God, we look at truth. Our world today tells us that truth is subjective, that what is true for you is not true for me. The world claims that truth is offensive. But Jesus claims that He is the truth, the truth is knowable, and the truth will set you free.

The truth will set you free from lies and reveal to you what reality is. The truth invites you to be set free from bondage. Truth has an origin, and we know the origin is found in Jesus Christ. He is the truth we need in our lives and is knowable.