Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Pilate asked him, ‘What is truth?’”
NL Daily Devotion for Sunday, March 27, 2022
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
Main Idea: We can work together despite our differing interpretations of what may be truth.
Pilate asks the most profound question in this encounter, “What is truth?” Is truth the same as facts? Is truth our interpretation of the facts? Is truth the conclusions drawn from our interpretations? Or are our conclusions, interpretations, and observations of the facts simply an imperfect pursuit of a singular truth?
Pilate believed his perspective was truth. He wondered if Jesus could see what he saw, or if Jesus was blinded by the power and influence afforded him by his fame. The religious leaders believed the truth was that Jesus was a blasphemer and a dangerous criminal. Pilate could find no grounds for execution, but he also knew he was in a precarious position. He needed to appease the high priests to keep the peace and prove that he was an effective ruler, lest he be removed from his post. Pilate believed the truth of Jesus’ innocence conflicted with his desire for self-preservation and the fact that his subjects could and would turn on him if he didn’t comply with their demands. Jesus’ truth included knowledge of things that we will never know. All of these facts and realities clashed and crashed into one another, so that the only outcome was the death of Jesus.
It is human nature to believe that our own interpretations of facts are truth, and that everyone else is wrong. There is great maturity in acknowledging that my interpretation of facts might be different from yours, and that both can live in the same space, even as they disagree.
I will not likely change your mind. You will not likely change mine. But we can find shared common ground despite our competing interpretation of facts. We can build upon our common ground to work together to do God’s work in this world—the work of justice, equality, and peace.
