Jesus in a Post-Truth World (John 18:28-19:16)
In the Roman-occupied world that Jesus lived in, the center of Roman life revolved around the forum. It was part marketplace, part courthouse, part stage. Street vendors and merchants sold food items and tools. Politicians gave rousing speeches. Criminal accusations were shouted for all to hear. And orators, hired by the Republic, stood atop platforms, spreading the gospel of Caesar while attacking political opponents with vicious rumors, conspiracy theories, and every other form of disinformation.
The forum was the information hub of ancient Rome, so if it was shared there, soon enough it would spread around into neighborhoods, around dinner tables, and workshops. Rome, much like every empire since, knew that carefully crafted rumors before long would turn into the “official” story. Before long, as the “story” took root, public opinion was formed and reality reshaped.
This was how power worked in Rome. It didn’t rule by force alone. It ruled by shaping the stories people believed. And usually when the powerful needed a villain in one of their stories, they aimed downward toward the most vulnerable.
This is the world Jesus steps into.
So when we arrive at John 18 and see Jesus standing before Pilate, we aren’t watching a careful search for justice and truth. We’re watching a political system skilled at manufacturing outcomes. And the Jewish leaders who turned Jesus over knew exactly how that system worked. Which is why they don’t accuse Jesus of breaking the Sabbath laws or claiming to be the Messiah. Pilate wouldn’t care about those types of religious disputes. Instead, they reshape the narrative and frame Jesus as a rebel king, a politicaal threat to Caesar. Not because he was raising an army—but because that’s the only story they knew Rome would act on.
Pilate asks him, “Are you king of the Jews?”
And Jesus answers with a question: “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me.”
In other words: “Is this your opinion or are you just repeating disinformation about me?”
Jesus refuses to play the deception game. He simply says, “My kingdom is not of this world..I came to testify to the truth.” And Pilate places all of his cards on the table…, “What is truth?”
It’s not curiosity. It’s a statement. For Pilate and for Rome (and for all who succumb to the lure of worldly power), truth isn’t something to be discovered—it’s something they determine. It’s whatever story they want to tell that keeps them in control, and if that means spinning the narrative to make the innocent appear dangerous than so be it.
But what they don’t realize is that Jesus wasn’t the one on trial in John 18.
They were.
And every nation, kingdom, and system built on fear, propaganda, disinformation, and violence is exposed here.
You’ll notice that Jesus doesn’t defeat it with more of the same. He defeats it through self-emptying, truth-telling, cross-shaped love. He gives himself over to the powerful and, in turn, absorbs the violence of the kingdoms of this world. And it is from this act that a new type of kingdom is revealed, and a Church is born, called to embody the same—truth in a post-truth world.
House Church Discussion Questions
What stands out to you the most about Jesus’ interaction with Pilate?
How do the religious leaders rewrite history to make Jesus look dangerous?
Where do you see “the powerful” reshaping narratives in your world?
How have rumors, conspiracy theories, and other forms of disinformation affected you in the past?
What would it look like for your house church to practice truth and cross-shaped love this week?