Truth is in the news. Do our politicians tell the truth? Are the Russian people being told the truth about the invasion of Ukraine? How can we recognise “fake news”? Truth matters! In a survey about the professions people in Britain trust least politicians, journalists, and car salesmen came at the bottom of the league. Doctors, nurses, and teachers were the most trusted professions. However, it’s not only a question of personal integrity but, more importantly, how can we know the truth about God and the purpose of our lives, about time and eternity? It matters who we believe.

When Jesus was on trial before Pilate, the Roman governor, he was cross-examined. Pilate knew the charges levelled against Jesus by the religious leaders were false and wanted to find out the truth. When he questioned them, they were evasive and didn’t tell the truth. Pilate asked them, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” They replied, “If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” So, Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” They objected, “But we have no right to execute anyone.”

Pilate asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews? Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” Pilate said, “You are a king, then!” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” Pilate retorted, “What is truth?”

Tragically, there are many people who, like Pilate, are cynical. He had seen the moral corruption at the heart of the Roman Empire, and he trusted no one. Today, some people give up their search for the truth because there are so many religions saying different things. How can anyone know what the truth really is? However, many people have found meaning in their lives and inward peace through listening to Jesus and trusting in him personally and in believing his teaching. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” No one heard Jesus teach more often than his disciples, the Twelve. They spent 3 years with him. One of them, Simon Peter, said, “Lord, you have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”