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Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Truth Theology
Psalm 1; John 17:6-19
When Jesus prays one last prayer for his disciples, he focuses on The Truth above everything else. What truth is that? And how do we know that it's true?
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In 1950 the little city of Hot Springs, New Mexico decided to change its name. They were sick and tired of being second-best to the famous resort in Arkansas, to say nothing of standing last in line behind 30 California towns with "hot springs" in their names. So the local citizens voted to become Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico.
They were hoping to cash in on the popularity of a television quiz show by that name, hosted by Ralph Edwards. And the TV folks equally hoped to cash in on the free publicity from any city willing to do such a silly thing. In the end, everybody cashed in as tourism and ratings both skyrocketed.
In 1991 rock diva Madonna shifted the focus a bit (understatement duly noted) with her movie "Truth Or Dare." The black and white documentary followed Madonna and her entourage on one of her national victory tours, zeroing in on a running guessing game they played offstage. Who was telling the awful truth about themselves, and who was faking it with bold-faced lies?
In both cases, the truth was just one part of a bigger game.
It's interesting that when Jesus prayed one last prayer for his disciples he put the emphasis on God's Honest Truth above everything else. In that case, the truth was anything but a game!
He went so far as to say that the truth is the one sure thing that can protect his followers from total destruction in the rough and tumble of real life in the real world.
In 2006 another movie, "The Da Vinci Code," has raised challenging questions about what's really true about Christianity. One great fringe benefit for Christians is that the image of God's "chosen vessel" is familiar once again. Whether you think of the Holy Grail or St. Mary Magdalene, either way it's a vivid picture of a consecrated container for God's grace in the midst of the real world. Into that vessel God pours out goodness and mercy, grace and truth.
That word picture symbolizes every person's call to be a carrier of the Holy Spirit, to serve and represent God's truth in the same way Jesus did. Imagine what a difference we'd make if every morning we recommitted ourselves to be available for God's purposes for just one more day. To trust God to guide and protect us so much that we're willing to let God lead the way throughout our day. To let God tip us a little here and there, pouring out some good blessing with a true word, an honest action, in a gracious spirit.
So, the truth does turn out to have some crucial consequences. I dare you to look diligently for The Truth, and to accept it when you find it. And then to let it do its good work in your heart, in your mind, and in every part of your life.
posted by Jack Buckley at
10:38 AM
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