One of the most striking scenes of the events of Jesus' trials and crucifixion are the conversations between Jesus and Pilot. If you recall, Jesus was purposefully silent during His mock trials. It's not that Jesus didn't have a lot to say. It is that He spoke only when His words would have meaning. His silences are just as important as His words. When He was sent to King Herd, He didn't speak at all.

Jesus did speak to Pilate. Pilate is only remembered to this day because he was the one who crucified Jesus. You and I would probably would not know who he was if He had not been the ruler who sent Jesus to His death. Pilate asked Jesus many questions, but there is one that reveals how close Pilate was to understanding Jesus.

Recall this portion of Jesus' conversation with Pilate.

You are a king, then! said Pilate.

Jesus answered, You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.

What is truth? Pilate asked.

With this he went out again to the Jews and said, I find no basis for a charge against him. (John 18:37-38)

Pilate asked the question What is truth? when Truth was sitting right in front of Him. He was so close and yet so far. You see if we do not recognize that Jesus is truth, we do not see Him. Pilate could see that Jesus was innocent and wrongly accused. He tried unsuccessfully to persuade the leaders not to ask him to send an innocent man to death. But, he still missed ultimate Truth, so close, and yet so far.

Jesus is Truth. Knowing this is essential to knowing Jesus. When you know Jesus is Truth, it softens the cruel injustices that we live with every day. There will be many times in life that you cannot understand the exact workings of God's plan, yet you can trust the Truth.

There is much evidence of misunderstanding in the events of the first Easter. The Pharisees didn't understand that Jesus was the Son of God. The disciples didn't understand that Jesus came here to die on a cross during Passover and rise again. The women, who were the first witnesses to Jesus' resurrection, didn't understand that Jesus had risen from the dead, they thought His body had been stolen. And, Pilate didn't understand the answer to His question What is truth?

In your own life, you have faced many situations that you don't fully understand. You can find hope when you find Jesus to be Truth. You can have at least that much understanding in your trial. You know that Jesus is Truth, and there will come a day when it all makes sense.

That Jesus is Truth disrupts the truth I want to make of my life. Because Jesus is Truth, I must face the lies that I try to create in my life that I am a good person and I try to do the right things. Jesus' truth blows that out of the water. Pilate asked What is truth? Unless I accept Jesus as Truth, I too will be lost and ashamed, never able to wash the blood of guilt from my hands.