(Saturday)
I believe there is a difference between truth and fact. During a recent Bible study, I entered into conversation about the primacy of Scripture. I do believe in the inerrant Word of God, but I also believe that the God-inspired writing of people can sometimes offer differences. I don’t think the truth changes; I just suppose that when two people record the same information, they may offer the details with their own flavoring.
A chief example would be the creation story which is told in chapters 1 and 2 of Genesis and is understood as coming from at least two different sources. Both stories relate how the world was created by God, but they offer different orders of the days. Were cows created before people or after? Reading the two chapters might initiate a bit of confusion when attempting to reconcile that detail. While I cannot definitively determine the facts surrounding the events, I can unequivocally state the truth: God created and it was good. Rather than getting bogged down in facts, I choose to concentrate on that truth – a truth worth claiming and telling.
If something is true, shouldn’t it be told? Why keep it to yourself? I painfully learned the answer to that question as a young child. I had anticipated my birthday for several days. Today was going to be filled with family and cake and presents! The surprises contained within those wrapped boxes were the best part of the day, and I loved holding them and shaking them as I tried to guess their contents. As my younger cousin entered my house that afternoon, she handed me a gift from her family, and proudly announced “Here’s your Barbie!” I felt the air swoosh out of my excitement as if I were a birthday balloon that had been pricked with a needle. In that moment, I knew that sometimes the truth needs to be kept quiet if only for a while.
Jesus understood that as well. While walking with his disciples, he asked them what the local folks were saying about him. He followed up by asking for their own discernment. What did his closest friends think about him? What were they saying?
Peter is the first to speak and the only one whom Jesus allows to name him. “You are the Christ.” Peter may have provided this answer as a matter of fact, but this is also his truth. Jesus is the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah, the Savior. Now that the truth has been named, we will shout it from the mountaintops, right?
Not so fast. Jesus has other plans and orders them to tell no one about him. Why would he do that? Shouldn’t everyone know who he is? Isn’t it important that as many people as possible be told the truth? No, sometimes the truth needs to kept quiet if only for a while.
If Jesus allows folks to talk openly about him and the work he is performing, the miracle-seeking crowds will grow rather than the faith of the people. The religious leaders will interfere. Many interruptions are possible and may make his path impossible. Jesus doesn’t want to detract from God’s salvific plan in any way, and so it becomes necessary to keep things quiet – if only for a while.
Even in the biblical narrative, though, Truth always has a way of shining through in the end. I love the certainty of that. During these next few weeks of internal reflection and sacrificial living, I feel blessed with the knowledge of Truth in our midst and in our future. We may not be shouting yet, but hang on, Easter is coming… and that’s the truth!
Truly,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM MARK 8
Jesus our Savior, people say many things about you. Even today some continue to say you are Elijah or one of the prophets, but I say you are the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the world. You are the one who came because you love me and died so that I would never have to face such a fate. Thank you for the gift of you and the gift of eternal life through you. Amen.
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 22 – All of you who revere the Lord – praise him! All of you who are Jacob’s descendants – honor him! All of you who are all Israel’s offspring – stand in awe of him!
Genesis 16 – The Lord’s messenger said to her, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You will name him Ishmael because the Lord has heard about your harsh treatment.
Mark 8 – “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?”
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html
I believe there is a difference between truth and fact. During a recent Bible study, I entered into conversation about the primacy of Scripture. I do believe in the inerrant Word of God, but I also believe that the God-inspired writing of people can sometimes offer differences. I don’t think the truth changes; I just suppose that when two people record the same information, they may offer the details with their own flavoring.
A chief example would be the creation story which is told in chapters 1 and 2 of Genesis and is understood as coming from at least two different sources. Both stories relate how the world was created by God, but they offer different orders of the days. Were cows created before people or after? Reading the two chapters might initiate a bit of confusion when attempting to reconcile that detail. While I cannot definitively determine the facts surrounding the events, I can unequivocally state the truth: God created and it was good. Rather than getting bogged down in facts, I choose to concentrate on that truth – a truth worth claiming and telling.
If something is true, shouldn’t it be told? Why keep it to yourself? I painfully learned the answer to that question as a young child. I had anticipated my birthday for several days. Today was going to be filled with family and cake and presents! The surprises contained within those wrapped boxes were the best part of the day, and I loved holding them and shaking them as I tried to guess their contents. As my younger cousin entered my house that afternoon, she handed me a gift from her family, and proudly announced “Here’s your Barbie!” I felt the air swoosh out of my excitement as if I were a birthday balloon that had been pricked with a needle. In that moment, I knew that sometimes the truth needs to be kept quiet if only for a while.
Jesus understood that as well. While walking with his disciples, he asked them what the local folks were saying about him. He followed up by asking for their own discernment. What did his closest friends think about him? What were they saying?
Peter is the first to speak and the only one whom Jesus allows to name him. “You are the Christ.” Peter may have provided this answer as a matter of fact, but this is also his truth. Jesus is the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah, the Savior. Now that the truth has been named, we will shout it from the mountaintops, right?
Not so fast. Jesus has other plans and orders them to tell no one about him. Why would he do that? Shouldn’t everyone know who he is? Isn’t it important that as many people as possible be told the truth? No, sometimes the truth needs to kept quiet if only for a while.
If Jesus allows folks to talk openly about him and the work he is performing, the miracle-seeking crowds will grow rather than the faith of the people. The religious leaders will interfere. Many interruptions are possible and may make his path impossible. Jesus doesn’t want to detract from God’s salvific plan in any way, and so it becomes necessary to keep things quiet – if only for a while.
Even in the biblical narrative, though, Truth always has a way of shining through in the end. I love the certainty of that. During these next few weeks of internal reflection and sacrificial living, I feel blessed with the knowledge of Truth in our midst and in our future. We may not be shouting yet, but hang on, Easter is coming… and that’s the truth!
Truly,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM MARK 8
Jesus our Savior, people say many things about you. Even today some continue to say you are Elijah or one of the prophets, but I say you are the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the world. You are the one who came because you love me and died so that I would never have to face such a fate. Thank you for the gift of you and the gift of eternal life through you. Amen.
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 22 – All of you who revere the Lord – praise him! All of you who are Jacob’s descendants – honor him! All of you who are all Israel’s offspring – stand in awe of him!
Genesis 16 – The Lord’s messenger said to her, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You will name him Ishmael because the Lord has heard about your harsh treatment.
Mark 8 – “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?”
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html