Friday, March 31, 2017

Day 106: The Truth Matters

Day 106
Deuteronomy 19-21; Mark 11

The truth always makes a difference. If it didn't, people wouldn't lie so much. Even in Old Testament times, it was work to try and figure out the truth, and there was a process and ritual if the truth couldn't be solved. Today, we'll see why the ultimate Truth matters, as well as the effects of telling the truth in Biblical times when it came to all sorts of situations.

When someone was murdered, there was opportunity for the guilty party to prove it was accidental. There were cities of refuge set up for people to flee too in the event of an accidental murder. God provides a way to give time for the truth to come out and set the accused free. He also provides a boundary for witnesses to be sure there is more than one testifying to prevent any false accusations due to grudges or hatred of the innocent person. God, however, makes it very clear how He felt about murdering and lying in the Old Testament, as He commanded Israel to purge the evil from their community through stoning. Luckily, not all the laws of this time apply anymore, as Jesus' coming changed the rules of how the Old Testament did things, and more grace is provided in lying. It still is a sinful thing in God's eyes and will be judged accordingly, however.

There is powerful truth in God fighting for us if we are on His side. As we read through the regulations for the people going to war, it is stated right off the bat that God is with them. If you are facing a battle in your life now, the same truth holds strongly for you if you are truly a Christ-seeker. The men who went to war also had to be honest with their lives and their selves as they faced a battle they may not have returned from. There is a list of things the officers of the army were to address with the troops, but the one that most stood out to me was the question: "Is anyone afraid or worried?" If the answer was yes, they were to go home so as not to frighten others. The men had to be very truthful as they probably faced taunting and teasing if they answered yes to that question. How often do we try to pass off how we truly feel to avoid judgments from others around us? The truth matters in your heart and in God's eyes.

Chapter 21 is filled with many instances of being truthful and the best practices of being truthful, starting with what to do when the truth can't be found. There are so many things in this life that we'll never know. The ritual laid out at the beginning of this chapter was how closure was made in Old Testament times. God gets pretty specific when it comes to the rights of the firstborn as well. I can imagine many favored kids over others because of the multiple wives, but God makes it clear that they must be fair to the firstborn and to grant them their rights to the inheritance. Don't lie out of favoritism, as this isn't only hurtful, but arrogant.

I think we try to lie to ourselves about Who Jesus is as well. As we read about His triumphant entry into Bethany during the Passover, the different reactions of the people say it all. While it's hard to pick it out in this text, we read about the "Christ-followers" of the time praising Him and laying garments and palms before Him as He rode in. Turning back to the reading of this particular event in Matthew, chapter 21, we read that others asked "who is this?" You may think you know Jesus and what He is really about, but do you? Or have you formed this ideal Jesus in your mind? People in that time saw kings riding into the city on horses, while Jesus rode in on a donkey colt. They were king of war, and Jesus was of peace. Jesus was not the king they were expecting. You may be looking for a Jesus who will provide, and heal, and give you a spouse, and a pretty life that you are picturing. While Jesus is very capable of that, He is ultimately the Jesus Who saves us. That is the truth. Are you disappointed in this truth? Renew your mind and see Jesus for Who He is.

He is one who curses the fruitless, as He did with the fig tree. The disciples were impressed He had actually cursed it, and Jesus told them that they needed more faith to believe in what the Lord could deliver.  Are you living a life that is fruitful and faithful? Or one that is self-serving and complacent, like the money changers who took advantage in the temple? The hard truth is that God wants you to believe that He can move anything with no doubt in your heart. Forgive others fully before making your request to God. If you do, God will forgive you. A scary truth is if you don't, He won't forgive you. The religious leaders couldn't handle Christ's truth. They wanted Him gone, as He made them look bad. Are you too stubborn to accept God's ultimate truth?

Take inventory of your life and think about the truths that are throughout your Bible. Many of these truths are very encouraging and meant to help you through the toughest situations. Others are to protect you from false accusations and hurt. Others, however, will hurt if you truly grasp them and apply them to your life. See Jesus for Who is truly is, and not the ideal Jesus you have made up in your mind. Are you disappointed in Who truth says He is? Remember He is a humble King and a saving King. The truth matters. Learn it, embrace it, apply it.  

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