“What is truth?”, Pilate asked Jesus. Little did he know that he was dealing with, and speaking to the personification of truth. From the dawn of time, men have been searching for, and asking, what is true and what is truth? It is sad that over two thousand years ago, truth walked the earth in human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, and mankind was blinded by their sinful nature and could not apprehend truth. Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”
There are those who regard truth as being relative to any given situation of time, or place. They say that what may be true for one may not be true for others; but we know from the word of God that this is not the case. The bible teaches that truth is absolute because God is absolute, and the word and commandments of God are absolute authority in the universe. There are some who would try to evade truth because they are frightened by it. For example, one may go to a physician to find help for a physical problem, and be frightened to death to hear the truth that he has some horrible dreaded disease, if that be the case. Some avoid the truth of the word of God because they do not want to be reminded that they are lost sinners, and unless they find a remedy, will be lost forever.
Some times truth hurts and cost something, but in the end, truth always heals and sets us free.
What is true? The Holy Bible, the inspired, infallible word of God is true, from Genesis Chapter 1: verse 1 to Revelation Chapter 22: verse 21. The fact that Holy intelligent God created the universe and all things in it is absolute truth, a truth that cannot be proven in a scientific laboratory, but can be known in the human heart as being absolute truth by the witness of God’ s Holy Spirit. Many do not want to hear and accept this truth because it deprives them of the luxury of believing that man is the center of all things and controls his own destiny. In many places, parts of the bible have been cut out and discarded because ,if the truth were known and adhered to, it would mean that there would have to be a change in lifestyle.
God’s word, the absolute truth, says it is wrong and a sin to commit murder which includes the abortion (or murder) of unborn babies. Some say, in order to justify their evil deeds, and sin and rebellion against the absolute truth of God’s word, that it depends upon the situation in which they find themselves. This is known as situation ethics.
God’s word, the absolute truth , says that it is wrong and a sin for men to have sexual relations with other men, and women with other women. God’s word, the absolute truth , says that the meaning of marriage is the relationship of one man and one woman, joined together in a holy union by God for life.
God’s word, the absolute truth, says that it is wrong and a sin to lie, cheat, and steal. Again, there are those who hate truth so as to justify lying, cheating, and stealing, as expedient means for solving difficult problems, especially in governments. Sad to say that there are those who claim to be Christian serving in high places of authority who are willing to sacrifice truth on the altar of expediency.
The good news is that not all men are liars, murderers, sex perverts, and adulterers. There have been those down through the ages who have recognized truth as being the absolute nature of God, and required of men.
God’s word, the absolute truth, teaches us that all men are sinners from birth and have a sinful nature, and consequently, barred from the presence and fellowship with God. God’s word, the absolute truth, tells us that Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life, came into the world to save us. God’s word, the absolute truth, tells us that one must be born again before he can be saved and have access to heaven, that is, he must believe in Jesus Christ as the only way to God the Father, ask forgiveness for sin, and receive his sacrifice as a free gift from God for our redemption. Those who would seek heaven and the paradise of God must accept God’s absolute truth for mankind.
Fortunately, there have been those who having been exposed to the word of God, have diligently sought after and found truth. A Jewish Rabbi sought after truth. “And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, good master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Mark 10: 17. This man kneeled at the feet of Jesus to find truth.
The common people came to Jesus and listened to his teaching to learn truth. “David therefore himself calleth him Lord: and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.” Mark 12: 37.
Multitudes flocked to the temple early in the morning to hear the truth that Jesus had to teach them. “And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.” Luke: 21:38
The Samaritans were eager to hear what he had to say. “So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them, and he abode there two days.” John 4: 40.
The bible says that Cornelius and his family were eager to hear the truth of God, and they sent for Peter to come and teach them. Cornelius said to Peter: “Immediately therefore, I sent to thee, and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” Acts 10: 33.
When the truth was taught in the temple to Christ’s own people, the Jews at Antioch, the gentiles which overheard were curious to know what was being taught. “And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath . Acts 13: 42.
The Bereans, “Were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether these things ere so.” Acts 17:11.
Oh! That men and women today would have an appetite for the absolute truth of God, and accept Jesus Christ as the their own personal Savior. What a change there could be in individual lives, and in our homes, our government, and our country.
You may talk all you want to about the “big bang” which scientist claim brought forth the universe, but please tell me, where did the thing that “banged” come from? The absolute truth of the matter is, that God spoke and said let there be, and it was so.

Dear reader, what do you think of Jesus Christ? Who is he? Why did he appear on earth? Is he just a man or is he more than man? What man is there who could perform such miracles, and raise himself from the dead if he were just an ordinary man? What is your opinion of this man from Nazareth, the carpenter?
Down through the ages men and devils have tried to deny that he is the divine son of God, God in human flesh. His divinity was challenged by Satan. “And when the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be the son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” Matthew 4:3. “And he saith unto him, if thou be the son of God, cast thyself down; for it is written, he shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Matthew 4: 6.
Satan not only tried to temp Christ to prove his deity , but Satan is ever active in the minds and hearts of individuals today to create doubts as to who Christ really is. Some say that he was just a good man. Others say that he was a wise prophet. Some say that he was a reformer, and others say that he came to be king.
Christ’s deity was challenged by the scribes and Pharisees. The learned scribes and Pharisees were well versed in the old testament scriptures, and knew the prophecies of the coming Messiah, yet, they saw him as only a man who was blaspheming God by declaring himself to be God. These were the religious leaders of the day. It is sad that some religious leaders of our time are so blinded that they cannot see that this same Jesus is the fulfillment of all the old testament prophecies concerning him. There are preachers in pulpits everywhere who stand at the sacred desk week after week and challenge the virgin birth and divinity of Jesus Christ. “And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” By asking this question, they were denying that Jesus was God.
Christ’s deity was challenged by his own people. His own nation and people, the Jews, branded him as an imposter, and demanded that he be punished for proclaiming himself to be God. “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.” John 8:18. “Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? And the prophets are dead; whom makest thyself?” John 8: 53. “The Jews answered saying, for a good work we stone thee not but for blasphemy, and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.” John 10: 33.
Christ’s authority to teach was challenged by the elders in the temple. If this was just an ordinary man, from whence did he derive such authority to declare the word of God, having not learned letters, and having little formal education? “And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the elders came upon him with the elders, and spake unto him, saying, tell us by what authority doest thou these things? Or who is he that gave thee this authority?“ Luke 20: 1,2.
When he was on the cross, the crowds were mocking him and challenging his divinity, telling him to come down from the cross if he were God, and save himself. “And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, and saying , thou that destroyed the temple, and buildest it in three days, , save thyself if thou be the son of God, come down from the cross.” Matthew w27: 38-40.
He was derided by the rulers. “And the people stood beholding him, and the rulers also with them derided him, saying, he saved others; let him save himself, if he be the Christ, the chosen of God.” Luke 23:35.
Two thieves were crucified with him. One of the thieves challenged his claim to be the Christ. “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him saying, if thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” Luke 23:39. The other thief turned and looked upon him , and in repentance, acknowledged his divinity and was granted a place with him that very day in paradise. Jesus said to him: “Today thou shalt be with me in paradise.”
Down through the ages there have been many who have been forgiven and gained a place with Christ in paradise because they have acknowledged the truth of God’s word that Jesus is the Christ, the divine son of God, and all who call upon him for forgiveness of sins will be saved. Peter acknowledged his divinity. “And Simon Peter answered and said, thou art the Christ, the son of the living God.” Matthew 16: 16.
The centurion who stood guard at the cross, when we beheld him, had to acknowledge that he was the son of God. “And when the centurion, which stood over against him saw that he cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, truly this man was the son of God.” Mark 15: 39.
Nathaniel acknowledged his divinity. “Nathaniel answered and saith unto him, rabbi, thou art the son of God: thou art the king of Israel.” John 1:49.
Even the demons were terrified when they had to acknowledge who Jesus was. “And cried with a loud voice, and said, what have I to do with thee Jesus, thou son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.” Mark 5:7..
“Christ showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proof.”. thus confirming that God had raised him from the dead, and accepted his sacrifice for the sins of the world. Thomas, the doubter, acknowledged his divinity when he was allowed to place his hand in the print of the nails, and his wounded side and declared him to be God. “And Thomas answered and said unto him, my Lord and my God.” John 20:28.
Can we say with Thomas that he is divine, and he is my Lord and my God? Can we declare with Job that we know that our redeemer liveth? Do we have the confidence that Jesus is God, that he has the power to forgive our sins, and raise us from the grave? Whatever we believe and publicly acknowledge about Jesus will determine our eternal destiny, whether it be in paradise with him, or in hell forever.

When I am in trouble, where can I go for help? When I am afraid, where can I go? When I am sick, where can I go? When I am lost and alone, where can I go to find peace and safety? Who is it that loves me and defends me and pleads my cause in heaven and on earth? From whence comes my help? My help comes from God who made heaven and earth. His name is Jesus, the Christ. The defender of the week. That which he has done for others down through the ages, he will do for me and for all who will believe him and trust him.
He is the defender of little children. Jesus had a special love for the little children that were brought to him to receive his blessing. “Then were brought unto him little children that he should put his hands upon them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19: 13,14. Does Jesus care about all the children of the world today? Does he care about the children who are allowed the freedom to wander the streets with little or no parental supervision to keep them from getting into all kinds of trouble? Does Jesus care when an infant is snatched from his mother’s womb in an abortion and destroyed and disposed of as meaningless trash? Yes, Jesus Christ cares about little children, and he has already pronounced judgment on all those who abuse them or destroy them. “Jesus said: whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18: 5,6.
Jesus Christ is the defender of weak women. In the pagan world, before Christ came on the scene, women were considered to be inferior to men, and were looked upon as the property of men, to be their slaves, to be used, and often times abused. Christ had great respect for women, and was their liberator, not only from their own sins, but from the harsh treatment that they sometimes received from the men in their lives. In pagan times, women had few or no rights, and could be bought and sold as chattel slaves of men. They were kept under the subjection of men until Christ came to set them free. When Christ came he raised the status of women to be equal with men. He taught that men should be respectful of their mothers, wives, and sisters, and to consider them as the weaker vessel needing care and protection. He taught that men were to be their protectors and providers. He taught that men ought to honor their mother, love their wives as he loved his church and gave himself for it, and to have respect for those of the opposite sex who were not their mothers, or wives, and consider them as sisters.
Christ paid special attention to women who were afflicted with sickness or disease. “And he was teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath and behold there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself And when Jesus saw her he called her to him, and said unto her, woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity, and he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.“ Luke 13: 10-13.
Christ defended sinful women. A woman who was considered a wicked sinner by the Pharisees, came to eat with Jesus. She brought with her a box of precious ointment with which she anointed the feet of Jesus after having washed them with her hair. The Pharisees were ready to condemn her and cast her out because she had committed so many sins. Jesus came to her rescue and defended her. “And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, see thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she hath washed my feet with tears and wiped them with the hair of her head, Thou gavest me no kiss, but this woman, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins which are many are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven the same loveth little. And he said unto her, thy sins are forgiven.” Luke 7: 44,48.
At another time there was a woman caught in the act of adultery. There was no question of her guilt because she had been caught in the very act. The Scribes and Pharisees brought her to Jesus, requiring that she be stoned to death according to the law of Moses. Again, the compassionate Christ who had come to save sinners and forgive sins, defended this woman. “They say unto him, master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her, and again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it being convicted by their own conscience went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last; and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, no man,. Lord, and Jesus said unto her, neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more.” John 8: 4-11.
Jesus is the great defender of the weak, the powerless, the sinner. We have a great high priest who is ascended into heaven, our advocate, making intercession for us. He battled Satan to defend us and won. He died, he was buried, and he rose again. Now he is at the right hand of God pleading our cause
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16..

The most feared and dreaded enemy of all mankind for all time is death, often called the “grim reaper”. Every creature on earth will, sooner or latter fall victim to him. There is no escape. All things die, plants, animals, and man, all have their appointment with this grim reaper. All journey to his narrow house. The wise and the foolish alike are smitten, and all resistance is in vain.
Death was introduced into the world through sin, and since that time, only two men is all history have escaped his reaping. Death is the universal fact of life. The moment we are born, we begin to die. Some may last longer than others, but eventually all will end up in death which is inescapable.
Once having seen light and life, and the beauty of God’s creation, what a horror to contemplate going out into the eternal darkness and void of the unknown where countless horrors and sorrows may await us.
It was never intended in the creation of man that death should reign over the whole world, but when the first man and woman on earth chose to believe the deceit of Satan rather than to obey God’s word, the door was open and death entered . God said: do not eat the forbidden fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you do you shall surely die, and our first parents chose to ignore God’s warning and because of God’s holiness, he had to pronounce the penalty that “The wages of sin is death” Rom 6:23. So the curse of death has passed upon all men. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Rom 5: 12.
Man’s time on earth is like a breath of wind, here and gone before we know it. “For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.” Job 30:23.
There is no respect of persons in God’s code of justice. The rich, the wise, the highly educated, as well as the poor, and the foolish; all meet the same fate, all die. “For he saith that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.” Psalm 49:10.
When the prospects of death loom over us and we begin to face the inescapable fact that we are mortal, we try to seek all kinds of cures and remedies to keep the grim reaper from catching up with us, but regardless of all the advances in medicine and technology and knowledge, when our appointment with man’s enemy comes due, we have no strength and resistance to prevail over its power. “There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit: neither hath he power in the day of death. And there is no discharge in that war. Neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.: Ec 8:8
If we stopped at this point in our discourse, we would be of all creatures most miserable, for we would have no hope. Animals die, but as far as we know, they have no knowledge or fear of their impending death. Therefore, they do not have to live all their lives in the constant fear of death. They have a God given instinct to remain alive . Man, who is superior to the animals, being created in the image and likeness of God has been given foresight and knowledge, and has the ability to be apprehensive of his fate and his future.
God in his infinite mercy did not leave mankind without hope. He knew that man was helpless to save himself from the jaws of death, so he provided a way that all men of all races could be snatched from the powers of the grim reaper, death. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
The perfect, sinless son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to save the lost. He faced and battled with death, but he had the victory. Death could not hold him. The tomb that was to be his narrow house was empty. Henceforth for all future generation, all who will confess that they are sinners and in need of a savior, and believe him and accept him as their Lord and Savior, will likewise be delivered from the arms of death. “Jesus said: I am the resurrection , and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” John 11: 25,26.
Though the physical body which is composed of the elements of the earth must return to the earth, yet, the soul of man is never destroyed. That which we call death, is merely the separation of our soul from the body. For the redeemed and those who belong to Christ, our soul will go to be with him and as Job said: “Though worms destroy this flesh, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” God has promised us a new body. “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another: though my reins be consumed within me.” Job 19: 25,27.
For all who know Christ as their savior, and have a personal relationship with him, why should we fear? “Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof Selah”. Psalm 46: 2,3. “O death where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor 15: 55, 56, 57.
Are you ready to meet the grim reaper?

What man, if he possessed divine, supernatural power, would allow himself to be tortured and put to shame on a pagan cross for a crime he had not committed if he were God, and had the power within himself to destroy the world and set himself free? What cords held Christ to the cross when he could have called legions of angels to set him free?
It was not because he was powerless or friendless. “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?” Math 26: 53
It was not because of human weakness. ”Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” John 10: 17,18”
The binding force that held Christ to the cross was the cords of our sins. He became our substitute, our sin bearer. Someone had to pay the penalty for sin. God so loved the human race that he was willing to take upon himself human flesh so that he could suffer like a man and die as a man. He who was sinless took upon himself the sins of the whole world and bore the reproach of all sinners, and paid the penalty for all the guilty. “For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproach of them that reproached thee are fallen on me.” Psalm 69:9.
He was wounded for our transgressions. All the brutal treatment, suffering, and shame that Christ bore during his trial and subsequent crucifixion, he suffered as our substitute. We, because of our sin were guilty, and deserved such punishment, but because of his great love for us , he voluntarily offered himself in our place to carry out our death sentence. “He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquity, the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his strips we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5. “For he hath make him to be sin for us who knew no sin: that we might be the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Cor 5:21.
He was made a curse for us. It was a mark of disgrace for anyone to be crucified and hang on a tree as a means of execution. When Christ was hanging on the cross, he was despised, mocked, and spit upon , and shamefully abused. It was our sin that put him there, and our sin that kept him there, bearing the reproach and shame which should have been ours, but because of the fact that he remained on the cross to the end, we who will believe and receive have been redeemed from the wages of sin, and the penalty of death, and the curse of the law. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: but we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor. That he by the grace of God should taste of death for every man” Galatians 3:3.
Christ remained on the cross in obedience to his Father so that he might reconcile us and bring us to God. His resignation to the divine will, held him to the cross. “He went away again the second time and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” Matthew 26: 42.
Christ’s love for mankind kept him on the cross. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man would lay down his life for another.” Yet, Christ so loved us that he did not seek to save his own flesh, but remained steadfast to the end, and the result was his glorification, and our eternal salvation. “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16.
Christ was loyal to the eternal purpose that God the Father had planned from the foundation of the earth. The plan was that through the death and resurrection of the divine son of God, the whole world of sinners could be forgiven and reconciled to God. I wonder how many there may be who will spend eternity in hell because they have rejected God’s divine plan of salvation.