Luke 6:47-48 (NKJV)
⁴⁷ Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: ⁴⁸ He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.

The Order of the Temple is the culmination of the Commandery orders but it is built on a firm foundation established by the two previous Orders: the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross and the Order of Malta. As the New Testament builds on the Old Testament so the Orders of Commandery build on the teachings of the Great Light of Masonry. We learn early in our Masonic education that Truth is one of the three principal Tenets of our fraternity.

The first Commandery order is the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross. Prince Zerubbabel of the House of Judah is invited by King Darius of Persia to participate in a debate considering the question of which is the greatest: the strength of wine, the power of the King, or the influence of Woman. Zerubbabel agreed to argue the point of the influence of woman but added that above all things Truth beareth away the victory and made his argument that truth is mighty above all things. While initiating a new Order they declare that Truth is a divine attribute, and the foundation of every virtue. The motto on the Banner of the Order of the Red Cross is “Magna est Veritas, et praevalebit, – “Great is Truth and it will prevail”.

1 Corinthians 3:9-11 (NKJV)
⁹ For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field; you are God’s building. ¹⁰ According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. ¹¹ For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

The Order of Malta is the first of the Christian Orders and reminds us of historical events and teachings which build on the foundations of our belief and increase the understanding of the virtues that we should cherish in our hearts for the consolation and preservation of our soul. A question in the closing asks: What are we taught by His life? and the answer is: all that is requisite for us to follow; He being the way, the truth, and the life.

John 18:37-38 (NKJV)
³⁷ Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” ³⁸ Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

Sir Knights, we do not know how Pilate asked this question about truth. Was he asking Jesus a serious question or was it a sarcastic remark assuming that nobody really knows what truth is? A sad commentary on this question is that many people assume the latter because they do not believe in the concept of an absolute truth. The Order of the Temple is a most solemn and impressive experience with many lessons to be contemplated long after it is over. One comforting concept we can keep in mind is the firm foundation we are building on; for Jesus answered the question Pilate and many others have since asked.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 (NKJV)

Jack A. Holloway
E. Grand Chaplain