Staring Truth in the Face

We've all been in situations where we try to explain an idea, concept, etc... to someone and they JUST DON'T GET IT. But, in saying that...I'm sure we've all been on the opposite side of this equation as well. It's kind of like when people drive while talking on a cell phone...many are virtually oblivious to what's going on around them...they are so totally engrossed in the conversation that they pay little attention to the other cars on the road.

There are similarities to this example in John 18. It's where Jesus was arrested and the people were demanding that He be put to death. During the ordeal, Jesus and Pontius Pilate have a short conversation (as Pilate is trying to figure out exactly what it is that Jesus is being accused of)...

35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews...
John 18:35-38

The part I want to place your attention on is verse 38, when Pilate asks..."What is truth?" The irony of this is that Pontius Pilate asks Jesus "what is truth?" as he is standing there staring Truth right in the face! Jesus Christ is the TRUTH.

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6

It's clear that Pilate was oblivious to the "truth" that Jesus came to redeem the sins of the world...and most importantly that He was the Son of God.



Some people are oblivious to the truth, others just don't want to hear it, and some hear it, understand it, but choose to either ignore it or pick the parts that best fit in to their daily lives. Jesus Christ proclaimed the truth of God's Word in the first four books of the New Testament (which are called The Gospels) - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Never let the truth slip from your grasp. Study it...so that you never find yourself staring at the thorns instead of the rose.

“The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious to the rose”
-Kahili Gibran

God bless you. And this is for His Glory!

"I require Heroism"

The Congressional Medal of Honor is the top service award bestowed upon those in the armed service of the United States of America. The Medal of Honor is given to those who have distinguished themselves through their gallantry in action, in which they went above and beyond the call of duty. In many cases the award is given posthumous after the recipient has passed, usually due to injuries sustained during the heroic act.

The Medal of Honor is a symbol of bravery, sacrifice, courage, and selflessness. It's when a person puts the the well being of others above his own self interests.

The cross is a symbol as well.

Because it was at THE CROSS that Jesus made His brave and selfless sacrifice. It was at the cross where God allowed and willed his only begotten Son to die for our sins.

It was the ultimate act of heroism and love.

Jesus' suffering and death on the cross was and still is the single most significant event in human history. I can think of nothing more brutal or more painful than what happened to our Lord on that day.

As Christians, we sometimes carry and even wear the symbol of Christ's love for us. It is the symbol of the cross. The cross is a direct reminder of God's immeasurable love.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John3:16

Jesus' death on the cross was indeed an act of heroism. He knew what He was destined to do... He was destined to teach God's word to those around Him, heal and perform miracles for those lost or undecided about their faith, die on the cross, rise, bestow the apostles with the Holy Spirit... and thus change the world forever.

If we are to walk in the footsteps of Christ, I believe that we too need perform acts of heroism. It doesn't have to be something big, but it does need to be a personal sacrifice. For example, it could be something like getting up a half hour early each morning and praying.

It's the little acts of heroism that add up and it's the daily sacrifices that God silently requires us to make in order to thank Him for the gift of another day.

This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

So think about it...

What will your next act of heroism be?

God bless you. And this is for His Glory!