War on Truth

 THE WAR ON TRUTH

Over the last few weeks, I have joined with leaders to discuss the WAR ON TRUTH that Jesus entered into in John 8. Tensions and clashes had been escalating for some time. Religious leaders were trying to seize Jesus (John 7:30), arrest him (John 7:32) and even kill him (John 5:18, 7:1, 19, 25, 8:59). Can you imagine your pastoral staff gathering on Saturday to figure out how to kill someone? Such were the times in ancient Jerusalem. There was a WAR ON TRUTH.

Times have not changed much. In our culture, TRUTH is up for grabs. Many deny there is such a thing as Truth with a capital T. Prevailing thinking goes like this, “You have your truth and I have my truth.” It is just one big dumpster fire. 

Tolerance is king. I agree that tolerance in relationships is a virtue. We need to listen, respect and honor. However, we have gone from everyone having a right to their own opinion to everyone’s opinion is right. Tolerance in TRUTH is a travesty. 

In John 8, Jesus went toe to toe with the influencers of his day. Life and death issues were on the line. It was light verses darkness. Jesus was tenacious. He loved these people enough to give them the truth. He said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (These are the words etched on our CIA building. I wonder if the people who work there know who spoke these words and what they mean?)

The man who was the TRUTH (John 14:6) was declaring, to those who believe in him and anchor themselves in his Word, (John 8:31a) that they will have life and freedom. He promises, “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

The leaders are outraged. They play the “Illegitimate Card” (8:37). All Jesus’ life he heard the slur-Who is your real daddy? Some Roman soldier? Jesus’ Truth is making so much sense to the listeners that the leaders use the “S” word in 8:48, “You are a Samaritan and demon possessed.” When the religious leaders cannot win on substance, they throw out the worst ethnic slur of which they can think. I love the guts of Jesus to not back down. 

While Jesus was with everyday sinners, he was patient and saw people as sheep without a shepherd. He kindly invited the weary to come to him and find rest for their souls. With religious hypocrites, he was a man to be reckoned with. He did not mince words with those who sat in disbelief on steroids. The folly of their human efforts to please God blinded their need for God.

We live in a world that rests under the shadow of darkness. Many are searching frantically for Truth and winding up in some disappointing places. Spiritual blindness causes a stumbling over the only solution to this darkness. May we not trip over the one who is LIGHT AND TRUTH. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12)