Jesus’ crucifixion and truth
John 18.28-19.16 Christian truth
Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:38) The question came during Pilate’s first interrogation of Jesus, held in his Jerusalem palace, whilst the Jewish leaders waited outside so they would not contaminate themselves during the Passover festival. The question has a very modern ring in contemporary society where absolute truths are frequently considered naïve, unless what one holds most dear is challenged. For the Christian Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are central to the gospel. Jesus’ crucifixion is the pivotal point of the Christian faith. It is the unavoidable heart of the Christian message. “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2.2) was Paul’s message to the Corinthian church. At the time of the Passover, Jesus became the lamb of God. John the Baptist called out when he saw Jesus, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1.29) For the gospel writers, the emphasis of their writing was not Jesus’ miracles, his ethical teaching, his sinless life or his many interactions with people. They all devote their principle focus upon his crucifixion and resurrection. It is in his sacrificial, substitutionary death they find truth. It is how we relate to Jesus in his crucifixion that the Christian finds truth in terms of meaning, purpose, identity and hope. Jesus’ crucifixion conveys ultimate and eternal truth for the whole world whether or not it is recognized by the world. The various stances of the parties involved in the travesty of Jesus’ trial still reflects peoples’ “truths” today.
How does knowing Jesus change your understanding of truth?
What difference does it make viewing truth through the lens of Jesus’ crucifixion?