Today’s text has some
echoes of our text from Sunday – Jesus finds himself in a verbal sparring
match. During the debate Jesus reveals that the reason His opponents can’t hear
the truth is because of their hearts and their commitments. They aren’t
willing, or able, to hear the voice of God. As you study today, consider
commitments or conditions of your heart that may be keeping you from hearing
the truth.
STUDY THE SCRIPTURE
Click here to access the reading from John 8:31-47
REFLECTION
Truth and Lies
by Diane Ward
by Diane Ward
Among the binary contrasts
of the Gospel of John are darkness and light; those who believe and accept
Jesus and those who reject him; freedom and slavery; life and death, those who
serve God and those who serve Satan.
Lying is Satan’s primary
weapon of deceit and seduction aimed at God’s children. He is the father of
lies twisting the truth and distorting reality. He is the author of cynicism, skepticism,
mistrust, and despair. Satan has told more lies to more people (including angels)
than any being ever created. His success depends on people believing his lies.
The apostle Paul tells us that Satan masquerades as an angel of light. (2
Corinthians 11:14)
Humility is always truth,
the blunt acknowledgment that I owe my life and being to Another, and that he
cannot and will not have a relationship with pretenders in the Spirit. (The
Ragamuffin Gospel: Brennan Manning.)
Jesus defeated Satan at
the cross and will ultimately defeat him at the end of time as we know it. Coventry
Cathedral in England was severely damaged by bombing during World War II. On an
outside wall is a sculpture of Michael the archangel subduing the fallen
Lucifer. Jesus came to destroy the works of the Satan. (1 John 3:8)
With Satan’s first “recorded
lie” we lost Paradise. (Genesis 3:4) With our adoption into God’s family
through Jesus’ death and resurrection, Paradise is restored to us forever in
the Father’s house.
As Jesus the light and
truth of the world stood before Pilate, truth was on trial as Pilate asked,
“what is truth?” (John 18:38) It is not God’s plan for us that our hearts and
minds should wander in search of truth, repeating Pilate’s question. We know
the truth and it has set us free!
UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER
TUESDAY – TRUTH
In the midst of all the messages being heard, pray for accurate information to drown out false reporting and click-bait tactics.
In the midst of all the messages being heard, pray for accurate information to drown out false reporting and click-bait tactics.
1 comment:
Truth needs to be heard & lies destroyed
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