What is the truth ?

"If you persevere in my word, you are really my disciples ; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8. 31, 32

Pontius Pilate asks Jesus this question at his trial (John 18:38); but Jesus does not answer. Yet who could have better than him give us the right answer or at least some interesting leads ? Is it not he who introduced his words often with words translated "In truth, in truth" ? This silence in front of Pilate surprises us, but can contribute to introduce the subject : do we owe the truth to everyone ? And is there a definition of the truth ?

Why does Jesus remain silent, he who said that in trials, the Holy Spirit would help us so that we can bring a good testimony ? (Luke 12:12) Was not this a wonderful opportunity ? But "the light shines in the darkness ; and the darkness did not understand him ... To all who received him, he gave them the right to be children of God "(John 1, 5, 12). One must be thirsty for the truth, be prepared to receive it, so that it is not like pearls given to pigs (the Lord uses this expression in Matthew 7: 6).

Then let us see this word of Jesus to Thomas : "I am the way, the truth and the life ; no one comes to the Father except by me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also "(John 14: 5-7). Note that no prophet could afford to speak like that. A prophet would have said : "This is the truth" (John 5: 33), but never : "I am the truth". This is why Jesus was arrested.

Also note in this passage that Jesus speaks of "knowing", which is different from "knowing things about him". To know in the Bible is to meet, to receive, to possess ... These things are of the order of experience. One can know many things about Jesus without knowing him personally. And we can not know Him without dwelling in Him.

Let's not tire of meditating the Word of God. There is a great unity between her, the person of Jesus, the role of the Holy Spirit, and God the Father. These realities are grasped only by faith, and it is by grasping them that we discover that "the truth is in Jesus" (Eph 4: 21).

Source (To please the Lord)