Today we live in an age of relativism. Relativism is a philosophy that teaches that truth is relative varying according to the individual, group, place or time. Relativism is the theory that knowledge of the essence of what something really consists of is not possible since knowledge itself is dependent upon the mind’s purely subjective manner of relating to its objects. You have probably heard the speech of the relativist; it may include any of these comments: ‘There is no absolute truth;’ ‘there is no way of knowing that;’ ‘my opinion is as good anyone else’s opinion;’ ‘ if it works for you …’ ‘your truth is your truth, my truth is mine;’ ‘if it makes you happy, it is fine with me;’ ‘whatever you want to believe is okay.’ Have you heard people speak this way? These represent the ideas of relativism.
Our text in John 18 presents quite a different idea than those spouted by the relativists of this age. In the scene before us, in response to Jesus’ mentioning the truth, we find Pilate, the relativist responding in verse 38, “What is truth?” Christ came into the world to testify to the truth – the one and only truth – not the relativist’s truth.
