Introduction: This was Pilate's famous question that he posed to Jesus, who stood before him bound, and awaiting his life or death decision. "What is truth?" Well, what IS truth? Truth is the way things really are. Truth is not falsehood. Truth is a faithful, correct statement about reality. Truth is a description of what actually happened, or who a person really is. Truth demands faithfulness and accuracy. Pilate, called upon suddenly to judge Jesus, in the face of the accusations of the Pharisees, was probably asking himself: "How can I possibly know the truth about these charges that have suddenly been brought to me? How can I make a true judgment about this man's guilt or innocence?" Actually, he did find the truth, very quickly. He said, "I find no fault in this man." He said it three times! He tried to set Jesus free. But, as it turned out, Pilate cared less about the truth than he did about his reputation with the emperor Caesar. So, in defiance of the truth, Pilate handed Jesus over for crucifixion.

This passage tells the reader four truths about Jesus:

I. He is the King (18:37; 19:3, 14-15).

• A. He presented Himself earlier as the King, at the triumphal entry (Matthew 21:5-9). The people called Him their king, by calling Him the "Son of David."
• B. But, as time progressed, Israel rejected the King. They turned against Jesus. They rejected Paul, who turned to the Gentiles.
• C. We need to see Jesus as our King, and we as His loyal subjects. We need to recognize His authority over us in all of life.

• A. He often claimed to be God's Son. For example: John 5:19-21.
• B. We are all sons and daughters of God, but Jesus is different. He is God's one and only eternal Son (John 1:1).
• C. The point of this doctrine is this: There is a family resemblence. If you want to know what God is like, study Jesus (John 14:7-10)
• D. Because we are God's children, we should try to be like Jesus.

• A. Jesus was without sin (John 8:46; Hebrews 4:15; I Peter 2:21-22)
• B. We are all sinners.
• C. He was God's perfect lamb, selected to take away our sin. The sacrifices of the Old Testament prefigured and prepared the way for Jesus' sacrifice. Why must there be a sacrifice? Why can't God just decree sin forgiven? Because of God's utter, complete, unimaginable holiness, righteousness and justice. We cannot comprehend God's moral purity. Yet, God loved us so much that He was willing to painfully sacrifice Himself to save us.
• D. We are created in God's image, and so we see ourselves sometimes acting as God does. We too will sacrifice ourselves to save those we love.

• A. He was beaten and bound in Pilate's power. But it was by choice. He was not compelled to be there, except by His faithfulness to the Father, and His love for us. He could have called 12 legions of angels (Matthew 26:52-54). (A Roman legion of the time could have as many as 6000 men. So times 12 equals 72,000 angels, and one would have been sufficient.)
• B. But His purpose was not to live a long comfortable life. He came to die for our sins, according to the plan of the ages.
• C. Of course we love Him for His faithfulness. We also should try to be like Him. Sometimes God calls us to do difficult things. Sometimes it's hard to tell the truth. Sometimes it's hard to go against what is "politically correct" at the moment. Sometimes it's hard to be a parent, or a spouse, or a good employee. But if it's the right thing to do, let's stick with it to the end.

Conclusion: Pilate asked "What is Truth." He knew the truth. He knew that Jesus was innocent. He could find no fault in Him. Jesus said in another place, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life." What is the truth about Jesus? He is our King. He is the Son of God. He has no faults or sins. He is committed to doing the Father's will. May God help us to love Him, to believe in Him, and to be like Him in all we do. Amen.