Truth to Bless Us!
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Introduction: There would never have been a more repeated question than “what is truth?” However, men’s search for truth has always been ended up in public debates, unending quarrels, and civil wars. With incomplete knowledge of truth, we ruled, judged, and resolved. However, to resolve rightly, we usually borrow a judgment of third party [not ‘You’ and ‘I’]. That means that ‘You’ and ‘I’ don’t have final right to claim ‘truth’. In the Gospel, John teaches us the truth—that is not from men [‘you’, ‘I’, and ‘they’] but—from God himself. That truth became flesh and is called Jesus Christ. Only in that truth, we can find a truth that graces and blesses us. This is the truth that feeds, shares, and sets us free.
Truth Not to Claim for Self But to Feed (6:1-71): Ch. 6 is opened with the miracle of feeding five thousands. This selected story defines what is all about the truth that came from God. The coming of Jesus Christ, the truth of God, is not to claim political supremacy as was expected, but to serve and feed us simply (vv. 5, 15). This is the truth to feed us! In relation to this, there’s an important question that John is inciting is “how would Jesus feed us?” From the bottom of his heart, the promise that Jesus made is that he would be more than willing to serve/feed us even by breaking off his own flesh and giving his own blood (vv. 35, 55). Because of this self-giving nature, many, who only value their own goods, found a big disagreement with Jesus Christ, who is the truth from God to feed others (vv. 60, 66).
Truth Not to Self-promote But to Share/Give (7:1-53): Ch. 7 describes a conversation of Jesus and his physical brothers in relation to the feast of Tabernacle, the best opportunity to show up publicly (v. 4). However, the truth of God is not something to promote public recognition for one’s fame and glory (v. 18). The all interest of Jesus Christ, the very truth from God, is to share and give everything of him to his people instead (vv. 37-39). By selectively referring to the Holy Spirit, John is depicting that Jesus Christ is more than willing to share everything inside and outside of him. For the Holy Spirit is the top secret of the life of Jesus Christ and His power-source (cf., Mt. 1:20; Jn. 1: 32; 3:34). Now, Jesus Christ is even thinking of to share this secret to those who willing. No special private portion left behind; but, this is the truth to share and give everything rather!
Truth Not to Judge But to Set Free (8:1-59): To put a minor climax, Ch. 8 records the story of sinful woman brought in by religious leaders to condemn (v. 5). However, the nature of God’s truth is not plain just to condemn, but is rather to give new life by meeting the real need of individual. If so, what does this woman need the most to live a different lifestyle, condemnation or forgiveness? Forgiveness! Yes, Jesus Christ promises never to condemn her past, but demands to live a new life (v. 11). This is the truth to forgive us and set us free to freely live a new guiltless life with a new dream, thought and feeling.
Yes, this is the truth that set us free by graciously meeting our real need, i.e., forgiveness for sinners, spiritual empowerment for weak disciples, and feeding (or even giving self to) the hungry multitudes. Therefore, let us say that this is the “TRUTH TO BLESS US.”
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