Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life!” (John 14:6).

I’m clear on what Jesus meant by being the Way and the Life. But I struggle a bit over what Jesus meant by being the Truth.

To borrow a famous question by Pontus Pilate: “What is Truth?”. (John 18:38).

Similarly, what did Jesus mean when he said we should “worship in Spirit and in Truth” (John 4:24 KJV)?

Once again, I’m clear about what Jesus meant by worshiping in Spirit. But I struggle a bit over what Jesus meant by worshiping in Truth.

Many volumes of philosophy and theology have struggled over the existence and meaning of truth. So I am in good company in my struggles to understand what Jesus meant by the word “Truth”.

In my blog “The Way of Jesus: The Truth”, I shared some insights that help me in my struggle to understand the meaning of Truth.

In this blog, I share some insights about the Truth of Easter. I first published these insights in 2004 in my book Visions of the Church (published together in one volume with my book Visions of America), at pages 166-167,169-170.

I wrote:

It would take an entire book to cover the Universal Church Councils adequately. Furthermore, one would need Ph.D. educations in philosophy, theology, ancient languages, Roman history, and Church history in order to fully understand the Universal Church Councils and their progressive decisions. Only then could someone fully grasp the relevant teachings of the Scriptures, the mysteries of the theologians, the quarrels of the philosophers, and the passions of the politicians.

For our purposes, it will suffice to think of the Nicene Creed (and additional statements of faith that other Universal Church Councils adopted) as affirming the Truth of Christmas and the Truth of Easter. Why? Because these early creeds often focused primarily on the nature and meaning of the Incarnation, the death, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

What is the Truth of Christmas? What is the nature and meaning of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ? (see my blog “The Way of Jesus: The Truth of Christmas”).

What is the Truth of Easter? What is the nature and meaning of the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ?

It would take entire books to covers these truths that light the world—these visions of truth that light Humanity.

Here are some highlights. . . . .

The Truth of Easter

The Truth of Easter is that Jesus rose from the dead. And although this historical fact seems impossible, it nevertheless is true.

How can it be? Because what is impossible with humans is possible with God. (Luke  18:27).

The Truth of Easter is that our sins are forgiven. On the Cross, Jesus bore the punishment for our sins.

Now, instead of suffering eternal death, we can enjoy eternal life.

And because our sins are forgiven by God and forgotten by God, we can forget what is behind and press on toward what is ahead: “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14, KJV).

The Truth of Easter is that we need no longer fear death.

We should weep at the tombs of those we love just as Jesus wept at the tomb of [his friend] Lazarus (John 11:35). However, we should not grieve like those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:14).

For we believe that we shall meet again those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. We will laugh with them again. We will hug them again. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

The Truth of Easter is that there is always hope (Job 14:7).

No matter how much it looks as if we have failed. No matter how much it looks as if evil has triumphed. There is still hope.

Therefore, we must still keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). We must still keep loving (Matthew 24:12-13).

Because, in God’s good time and in God’s good way, God will bring good from evil (Genesis 50:19-20; Exodus 7:35), healing from suffering (Job 42:1-6; Isaiah 53:4-5,10-12), and life from death (Ezekiel 37:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:12-26).

How?

Although this is impossible for humans, it is possible for God.

For “in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).

Nothing “shall separate us from the love of Christ.” Not “trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword” (Romans 8:35).

[I]n all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For . . . neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).

The Truth of Easter gives joy to the world—joy for all Humanity!

The Truth of Easter is that the Way of Jesus is a Life full of laughter and tears, hopes and hugs.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

When have you worried whether all of the guilt and shame from your life are forgiven and forgotten by God? By others? Why?

When have you rejoiced that all of the guilt and shame from your life are forgiven and forgotten by God? By others? Why?

When have you feared death? Why?

When have you rejoiced that you will meet again those who have fallen asleep in Jesus? Laugh with them again? Hug them again? Why?

When have you rejoiced that there is always hope? Why?

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Please read my other blogs related to the Way of Jesus (and the blogs referenced by them): “The Way of Jesus: The Nones”, “The Way of Jesus: Following the Way of the Wisdom That Follows the Way of the LORD”, “The Way of Jesus: St. Francis of Assisi”, “The Way of Jesus: The Truth”, “The Way of Jesus: The Truth of Christmas”.