The voice of truth

 

The Voice of Truth: Hearing Jesus in the Gospels

In John 18:37, Jesus declares to Pontius Pilate, “Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.” The Greek word for “voice,” φωνή (phonē), carries profound weight—it’s not just sound but the living expression of Jesus as the embodiment of truth (John 14:6). The Gospels, as the written record of his words and life, uniquely capture this φωνή, distinguishing them from the Old Testament and revealing why some, like Pilate, miss the call of truth altogether.Pilate’s response to Jesus—“What is truth?” (John 18:38)—followed by his swift exit, shows a man who hears but doesn’t listen. Distracted by the louder “voices” of Roman authority, the crowd’s demands, and political expediency, Pilate dismisses Jesus’ φωνή as irrelevant. His indifference mirrors a modern tendency: prioritizing other voices, even sacred ones like the Old Testament, over the direct voice of Jesus in the Gospels.

Pilate’s response to Jesus—“What is truth?” (John 18:38)—followed by his swift exit, shows a man who hears but doesn’t listen. Distracted by the louder “voices” of Roman authority, the crowd’s demands, and political expediency, Pilate dismisses Jesus’ φωνή as irrelevant. His indifference mirrors a modern tendency: prioritizing other voices, even sacred ones like the Old Testament, over the direct voice of Jesus in the Gospels.

The Old Testament, while inspired, is not Jesus’ φωνή. It lays the foundation—through laws, prophecies, and promises—that points to the Messiah (John 5:39-40). Passages like Isaiah 7:14 or Psalm 22 foreshadow Jesus, but they are the voices of prophets, not the incarnate Word himself. The Gospels, however, preserve Jesus’ literal teachings, parables, and interactions, offering an immediate encounter with his truth. As Jesus prayed in John 17:17, “Your word is truth,” and as the Logos (John 1:1, 14), he fulfills and surpasses the Old Testament’s preparatory revelation.

Some Christians, like Pilate, may respect other “voices” more. The Old Testament’s structure—its laws and narratives—can feel more authoritative or familiar than Jesus’ challenging call to “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44) or “take up your cross” (Mark 8:34). Yet, focusing solely on the Old Testament risks missing the living φωνή of Jesus, who said, “You search the Scriptures... yet you refuse to come to me” (John 5:40). The Gospels are the “sound” of his truth, preserved for all who are “of the truth” to hear and follow.

Remarkably, Jesus foresaw Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” and provided the answer in advance. In John 18:37, by stating his purpose—to bear witness to the truth—and linking it to his voice, Jesus defines truth as his very presence and message. This foresight reflects his divine nature, anticipating human skepticism and offering a relational truth that those who hear him can embrace. Pilate, however, missed it, distracted by the clamor of his world. The Gospels still carry Jesus’ φωνή, inviting us to hear his truth amid the noise of modern life—whether through scripture, reflection, or even digital conversations. Like Pilate, we face a choice: will we tune into his voice, or let other “voices” drown it out? The call remains open, echoing through time for those ready to listen.

Pilate’s failure to heed Jesus’ voice wasn’t just a missed moment; it was a rejection of the truth standing before him. Today, we face a similar choice: will we attune our hearts to Jesus’ φωνή in the Gospels, or will we let other voices—however sacred—drown it out? The Gospels invite us to listen, not just with our ears but with our lives, to the One who is the way, the truth, and the life.

This theme of prioritizing Jesus’ voice over other significant voices is echoed in the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8). There, Peter, overwhelmed by seeing Jesus with Moses and Elijah—representatives of the Law and the Prophets—suggests building tents for all three, as if to honor their voices equally. Yet, the Father interrupts, declaring, “This is my beloved Son... listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5). This divine command underscores that while Moses and Elijah’s voices in the Old Testament are profound, nothing surpasses the φωνή of Jesus. Their writings and prophecies, though foundational, find their ultimate fulfillment in him. the Gospels still carry Jesus’ φωνή, inviting us to hear his truth amid the noise of modern life—whether through scripture, reflection, or even digital conversations. Like Pilate and Peter, we face a choice: will we tune into his voice, or let other “voices,” however revered, drown it out? The call remains open, echoing through time for those ready to listen.




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