You will know the truth

Jesus had the role of a prophet, as was acknowledged by some of those who heard him, and he claimed to bring the very words of God whom he called his Father: “He who sent me is true; and the things that I heard from him, these I speak to the world” (John 8.26). We need to examine if this is believable; if you’re not convinced, that’s OK – just keep following my reasoning and I trust it will become not only clearer but compelling. But I can’t say it all in one short blog post; in further posts I hope to lead on to those authentic answers we all hope for and we all need.

You may have heard the expression sometimes quoted, “the truth shall make you free”. It seems a great sound-bite, but you may not know where it comes from. It was Jesus who said it, but it is often quoted without the important words just before it. In the context just before, Jesus said, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free”. These words are to be found in one of the Gospels (John 8.31-32) recounting the life, teaching and ministry of Jesus. They are intriguing words indeed, for they offer truth – indeed, they promise to be the key to knowing the truth. May this be the key we need? Might this be the way to authentic answers from God himself?

In that same chapter 8 of John’s Gospel we find other astounding statements (it’s a chapter well worth studying and reflecting on). In a previous blog post we saw that God revealed himself and spoke to identify himself using the expression, “I am who I am”, and calling himself “I am” – the self-existing one. Well in John chapter 8 Jesus takes this very expression to define who he is. He uses the emphatic expression in Greek five times in that chapter, insisting on the importance to believe “that I am” (v24). He also uses the expression in affirming: “I am the light of the world” (v12). Now that is no meagre statement! We are in the dark: light is what we need. And Jesus brings light into the world. 

Human beings have sought in vain for the light of truth to enlighten our path, and have not obtained the answers by our own intellectual activity. We should consider if this may be the light that we need! Indeed, as all the world is still trying to penetrate the deep mystery of existence and wondering if God may exist, all of a sudden here is one who claims to be “The Light”. And not just a wee candle shining to lighten some forgotten corner, but the light for the entire world – of all men and women everywhere who are seeking answers! We call that “universal truth”! Truth such as only God himself could know and communicate!

If we can discover that Jesus is actually telling us truth about himself – then we would have authentic hope for true answers to our existential questions. This deserves to be thought through…

Clive Every-Clayton