Truth (!?)

                                                           Luke 19: 28-34
 
                 “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”     
                                                                  John 8: 32                              
 
     Intentionally or intuitively we all search for truth. Right now we are searching for practical truth in relation to COVID 19: how long will it last; will our loved ones be OK; what is the cure; what financial help is there for us; and so on. Such a serious situation probably causes many of us to think about the truth and purpose of life. We may hear explanations that everyone can have their own truth….can there be more than one absolute truth though? You may hear some say that there is no real truth….surely by definition this statement can’t itself be true if there is no truth? Jesus told us that He Himself is the ‘truth’ of life,’ (John 14: 6) and that if we know Him He will set us free (John 8: 32). This Sunday the Church begins the celebration of Eastertide with Passion or Palm Sunday. Step by step, through the following week, we will unpack the Good News (the Gospel) of Jesus Christ which explains why there is truth and why Jesus is that truth.
 
     Palm Sunday, and our reading in Luke’s Gospel, recalls Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and signals the start of His journey to the cross. Jesus’ self-sacrifice led to the defeat of death through the power of God that raised Him to life. This enables us to enter by His Grace through faith into an eternal relationship with our Creator; real truth. On that first 'Palm Sunday' many believed Jesus to be the Saviour, some had doubts and some simply did not believe and told Jesus to rebuke His followers for their praise of Him (Luke 20: 37-39). Many of those who praised Him that day, later in the week, called out, “Crucify Him!” So what was and is the real truth? Jesus replied to His critics, as He entered Jerusalem, that even if the people were silent ‘the stones would cry out,’ (vs. 40); we see that creation shouts out the truth of Jesus Christ. God has made His truth known to us even if we do no acknowledge or believe in Him (Romans 1: 19-20).
 
     It is a beautiful and wonderful truth to reside in the freedom of God. I pray that all our journeys through Eastertide will lead us into that freedom through the truth of Jesus Christ.
 
To Ponder: What do you believe to be true in your life; does it give you freedom, even from death itself? Which reaction to Jesus, in today’s reading, best reflects your view of Him; what do you believe to be true about Him?
 
Prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son Jesus Christ to take upon Him our flesh and to suffer death on the cross: grant that we may follow the example of His patience and humility, and so be made partakers of His resurrection. May this truth, truly set us free. Amen 
 
Praise: If we keep silent
            (With the permission of D Bruce Moore)