Exhortation – In The Truth

Christadelphians have an expression they often use; they speak of being “in the truth.”

A Bible expression

In 3 John we read, “The elder unto the well-beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth…I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth” (vs. 1,3). To walk in the truth is to walk in the way of God, following the Lord Jesus.

In fact, to be “in the truth” is to be “in Christ,” for he is “the truth.” Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). He is the way — there is no other way by which a person can come to the Father. He is the truth — there is no other true faith than the gospel of Christ. He is the life — he alone can grant eternal life.

Face to face with the truth

The Roman procurator was a corrupt and violent man; but when he came face to face with the truth, Pilate became a very troubled man. The Jews had falsely accused Jesus and Pilate knew it. He had been prepared to cooperate in putting an innocent man to death but at least he wanted to follow the formalities of Roman law in examining the accused before passing judgment.

As he sat on the judgment seat, a message came from his wife. It is probable that he had left his apartment before she had the chance to talk to him so she sent this urgent message: “Have thou nothing to do with that just man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him” (Matt. 27:19).

Corrupt though he was, Pilate was afraid and was now determined to let Jesus go. First he wanted a valid accusation from the Jews. Surprised that he should ask, they had no ready answer. So Pilate responded, “Take ye him, and judge him according to your law.” Let the blame be theirs for any miscarriage of justice.

Pilate went back into the judgment hall saying to Jesus, “Art thou the King of the Jews?” Jesus was truly the king of the Jews but the nation rejected him at that time: “My kingdom is not of this world…” Jesus was born to be king and he was born to “bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” Pilate, realizing his own deficiencies, said, “What is truth?” While not a righteous man himself, he could tell the manner of man who stood before him. “He went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all” (John 18:33-38).

When Pilate learned Jesus was a Galilean, he sent him to Herod hoping to pass the problem to someone else. It was of no avail, however, as Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate. Pilate then made a last effort to release Jesus for he knew it was for envy that the Jews had delivered him (Matt. 27:18). He suggested he freely release Jesus as a token of goodwill on the Passover. But the Jews screamed for the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus. “Why, what evil hath he done?” cried Pilate.

Yet he saw that it was in vain to release Jesus because the Jews had warned, “If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend.” In other words, they put Pilate in the position of choosing between Christ and Caesar. This was the climax of the episode — Christ or Caesar. Pilate had stood before the truth and had been given the opportunity to learn of him but had been too weak to make a commitment.

Consequence of rejection

After being in disgrace with Rome, Pilate was banished from his position. The historian Eusebius records that soon afterwards, Pilate, wearied with his misfortunes, killed himself. There are various traditions as to the scene of his death. One is that he plunged into the dismal lake, now named Pilatus, on the mountain by Lucerne.

When faced with turning Jesus over to be crucified, Pilate had tried to disclaim responsibility by washing his hands before the multitude. But no washing of hands can wash away the consequences of refusing the truth for Pilate or for ourselves.

Misunderstanding the truth

The disciples believed the truth but they had a great misunderstanding as to how deliverance from sin was to be accomplished.

Peter was determined to rescue Jesus when the crowds came to take him. As Peter strikes out with his sword, we wonder how he could forget former situations when Jesus so easily avoided hostile men. The only way Jesus could be taken was if he willingly consented to be seized.

The apostles were totally dismayed at losing their master. The attitude of them all was expressed by the two dis­ciples who were on their way to Emmaus when Jesus met them. Noticing their sorrow, Jesus said, “What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?…And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word…but we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel” (Luke 24:17-21).

Even when they were convinced of the resurrection of Jesus, they were still not clear on his ascension to heaven and coming again. “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power” (Acts 1:6-7).

They were in the truth

While the apostles did not have complete understanding, they were not rejected by their Lord. Jesus worked with them to overcome their doubts. To Thomas he said, “Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing…Jesus saith unto him, Thomas because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:27-29).

These words apply to us. We are privileged to live in these last days when the signs are so clear, we are almost among those who have seen the mighty deeds of God. We are included with all those who have believed down through the ages. We are in the truth; in Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth and the life. There is no other name under heaven whereby men may be saved and we are greatly blessed to be in that name.