“What is truth?” Pilate asks Jesus prior to sentencing him to crucifixion at the demands of the crowd. Was it a retort, as the NIV translates it? Or a scornful question, as the Amplified Bible suggests. It’s possible. Most translations, however, just say, “Pilate said,” and I imagine it could have been said with a certain world weariness.

Things had not gone particularly well for Pilate as procurator or governor of Judea. Whether through his own insensitivity as a leader or perhaps disgust for the people and place he’d been given to govern (as some commentators believe), Pilate had engaged in actions that infuriated the Jews and caused unrest among the population. And now, once again, they were near to rioting and clamoring — for no legitimate reason Pilate could see — for the execution of Jesus.

Did Pilate really want or expect an answer? Probably not. And we have no record that Jesus gave him one beyond what he had already told him — that he had “come into the world — to bear witness to the truth.” So, to keep the peace and to protect his own political future, Pilate gave in to the mob’s demands, and — despite his wife’s pleading — had Jesus crucified. How successful Pilate was at protecting himself politically is hard to know, since he was later recalled to Rome, and the remainder of his life lost to history.

In America today, our politicians seem to be taking a page out of Pilate’s book. Whether they ask or even care what truth is, their primary objective seems to be protecting their own political futures. Their goal isn’t to serve the country but to serve themselves and their careers. And so whichever mob makes the most noise (or donates the most dollars) is the one they give in to. Any principles they once may have had were sacrificed long ago at the altars of personal profit, political power, and prestige.

So as our political leaders discard truth for political advantage — a la Pilate — we, the citizens, are the ones asking “what is truth?” with the same sort of world-weariness that, in my imagination, Pilate expressed. How do we discern truth from the lies we’re often told, and how do we decide who is worthy of our votes? This is where we have to be the ones to hold onto our principles, regardless of what our political representatives do.

Whatever happens in our upcoming elections, God is ultimately in charge, and he is the same yesterday, today, and forever. While we should be good citizens and thoughtfully exercise our right to vote, America should not be our idol. Christians and Christianity survived the fall of Jerusalem and the fall of Rome, and, should it occur, Christ’s church will survive even the fall of America. While God has certainly blessed this country, Americans are not God’s chosen people, and our nation is not exempt from failure.

So, however world weary you may feel as you attempt to navigate this election season, seek the truth regarding our political leaders as best you can, and base your voting choice on biblical principles. But don’t look to any politician to be the savior of this country. While Pilate may not have realized it, ultimate Truth stood before him that day. But, like so many of today’s politicians, he tossed it aside for the sake of political expediency. Let’s make sure we don’t toss it aside for the sake of an idol called America.