Hearing Hard Truth
Scripture – John 8:43-47: Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) Well, there’s no question now as to what Jesus thinks of these Jewish leaders. What’s intriguing to me is why they are unable to hear His words. Jesus tells the truth. While the truth will set us free, it’s sometimes hard to hear. We’d rather believe the lie. I avoid going to the doctor because I feel fine. I convince myself there’s no need for a regular checkup. The reason is simple: I’m afraid he’ll find something wrong. He might speak truth I don’t want to hear. It’s easy in the church to avoid hard truth, as well. We’d rather not be disturbed by the troubling realities in our culture – especially at Christmas. Maybe we need to re-visit Scrooge’s story.
Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I will open myself to the truth around me – the joys and the concerns. I will schedule an appointment with my doctor in January.
Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, help me see the needs of people around me. As a church, keep opening the doors to serve our community. Give me patience and peace this day. Guide me in your truth.
An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, join us at Tim Hortons (Dix and Northline in Southgate) this Sunday morning, 9:45 – 10:30am.
Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) Well, there’s no question now as to what Jesus thinks of these Jewish leaders. What’s intriguing to me is why they are unable to hear His words. Jesus tells the truth. While the truth will set us free, it’s sometimes hard to hear. We’d rather believe the lie. I avoid going to the doctor because I feel fine. I convince myself there’s no need for a regular checkup. The reason is simple: I’m afraid he’ll find something wrong. He might speak truth I don’t want to hear. It’s easy in the church to avoid hard truth, as well. We’d rather not be disturbed by the troubling realities in our culture – especially at Christmas. Maybe we need to re-visit Scrooge’s story.
Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I will open myself to the truth around me – the joys and the concerns. I will schedule an appointment with my doctor in January.
Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, help me see the needs of people around me. As a church, keep opening the doors to serve our community. Give me patience and peace this day. Guide me in your truth.
An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, join us at Tim Hortons (Dix and Northline in Southgate) this Sunday morning, 9:45 – 10:30am.
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