Have you ever watched detective shows or movies, where clever detectives work tirelessly to solve crimes, figure out what really happened, and bring the culprits to justice? It's fascinating to see how they sift through clues, eliminate suspects, and piece together the puzzle. But here's the twist: Sometimes, they get it wrong. Why? Because they base their conclusions on evidence, and evidence doesn't always equal the truth.
I have deliberately avoided engaging in any conversation regarding the ongoing Israeli/Hamas conflict. I have rather chosen to pray and trust that God will intervene in the situation. If you go online and search for anything related to the conflict, the probability is high that you will see a number of links with the title, “The Truth About the Israeli/Hamas conflict” or the “The Truth About the Israeli/Palestinian conflict”. When you read the contents, the “truth” will most often be based on where the writer’s allegiance lie. What is “truth” to the Pro-Israeli writer is not “truth” to a writer sympathising with Hamas or Palestine. This brings us to the question, “What Truth do we believe”?
Now, let's talk about truth. Truth has always been a bit like a hidden treasure, even long before the time of Jesus. Speaking of whom, Jesus once made a bold statement: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This declaration must have surprised many. He didn't say he merely spoke the truth; he said, "I am Truth."
Throughout his time on Earth, Jesus pointed people toward the truth, sometimes challenging their ideas about what truth really meant. Take, for instance, his famous sermon on the mount, found in Matthew 5: 21-43. He began by saying, "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago…" and then quoted Old Testament laws. But he didn't stop there. He continued with, "But I tell you." It might seem like he was tossing aside the old laws, but when you look closer, he was addressing what people had heard their teachers say. He even clarified, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17).
At times, Jesus challenged the religious leaders, saying, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to" (Matthew 23:13-14).
So, what's the bottom line? Jesus, the Son of God, came to Earth to help us discover the truth. He assured us, "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). It's interesting to note that the Holy Spirit is referred to as the Spirit of truth (John 16:13). When Jesus was leaving, he promised that the Father would send the Holy Spirit, who would embody the truth that defined Jesus. Jesus also pledged, "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come" (John 16:13).
In a world where many versions of "truth" are thrown around, Jesus promised us the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit knows all truth and leads us into it. So, as we journey through life, seeking truth, we can trust that we're not alone on this quest; the Spirit of truth is our guide.
