Jump Start # 3917
John 8:32 “and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
I was recently preaching from John 6 and the subject of Truth. The chapter begins with the feeding of the 5,000. Powerful things take place. It was an amazing miracle. The crowds disperse and likely go home. The text tells us that the next day they show up again. And, again they were looking for food. Jesus fed them the day before, so it is logical to conclude that He’d feed them again. Maybe He’ll continue to feed them. Maybe they won’t have to cook at all. This could be a good thing. As the text flows, Jesus was not going to feed them anymore. He was the living bread. They needed Jesus, not just filling up their bellies. And, when Jesus didn’t meet their expectations, they walked away. They were done with Jesus. They went home with empty hopes, empty bellies and empty souls. They didn’t want the saving grace of Jesus. They were done with Jesus.
One of the characteristics of truth that we don’t emphasize enough is that at first God’s truth will make one miserable. That’s hard for some to grasp. God is love. God wants us saved. Yet, we are not pictured as the darlings of Heaven nor as knights on white horses. We have sinned against God. Our sins have ruined us.
Imagine cooking a beautiful steak on your grill. It sizzles and it smells amazing. You bring that steak in and before you cut into it, you reach for some steak sauce. But, instead of sauce, you pour motor oil on your steak. By doing that, you just ruined the steak. You can’t even give it to your dog. It’s good for nothing. It will have to be thrown away. And, in that graphic image, that’s what sin does to our hearts and our lives. It ruins us. Good for nothing, is what Jesus said about the tasteless salt in the sermon on the mount.
Why does the truth make us feel miserable?
First, it presents a clear picture from Heaven of what we really are. A rebellious child like in Luke 15. A run-a-way sheep like in Luke 15. Like an unfaithful wife in Hosea. The picture isn’t pretty. It’s not our best side. And, that’s the starting point to turning back towards God and repenting. If we believe that we are pretty good people and our goodness is good enough, then we will never come to the salvation that we need in Christ.
The truth tells the truth.
Second, once we see ourselves as we really are, then reality hits us. Misery, guilt and shame follow. But, God doesn’t show us this to beat us down. He doesn’t rejoice in seeing us uncomfortable. However, it’s that uncomfortable state that will lead us to change.
Out of this we see the patience, love and hope that God extends. God doesn’t leave us in the pig pen. God doesn’t say, “I hope you can find your way out of that mess.” No, He sends Jesus. Jesus is the hope, the answer and the help.
Once truth is believed, accepted and applied our hearts change. We come to Christ. Rather than walking away like the people did in John 6, we run to God. And, in God we find joy, peace and the gloom of sin is washed away in the salvation of Christ. Purpose, definition and peace surround our hearts.
Third, in a sweet transition, what once made us miserable, the truth, now provides hope and satisfaction to us. We love reading the Bible. We love being with others who love God’s word. We long to hear God’s word preached. We carry the word of God in our hearts. We have filled our lives with God’s word.
The trouble with this topic is when modern folks soft coat God’s message and present it as if we are all wonderful creatures in God’s kingdom. If that were the case, then why did Jesus come? We must start where God does and stop where God stops.
The John 6 crowds didn’t walk with Jesus anymore. Be sure that you stay with the Lord.
Roger