“But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.”Luke 18:34 ESV
Reflection: are you believing a lie or, do you seek the truth?
Have you ever tried to talk with someone that has a strong conviction, faith, belief in a particular topic, and even if you show them facts, try to reason with them, is like talking to the wall?
There was a story published by the New York Times yesterday, about Elon Musk going to the Pentagon to be briefed about military plans for a potential war with China. It was printed as a factual story. Now, later that day, the President even had to tell the masses that this story was completely fake, made up. A lie. But if you spend just a few minutes thinking rationally, about who wrote it, who it was about, the story itself, and what is going on right now within the government to investigate fraud and abuse of spending, you can start to understand the motivation for publishing such a story. And probably to question the person that is leading this effort, to create a narrative of thinking in the public’s mind.
This little story doesn’t really matter so much in an by itself, as it doesn’t affect you and I directly. But what is so important, and downright scary to think about, is how easily we are manipulated. Turns out it is actually pretty easy to create a fake story, and then have people believe the lie just by presenting it as the truth. Or to make you think or feel in a certain way about someone. And most people don’t have the time to investigate all the stories they consume. Be honest, we often “skim through the headlines” to learn the latest about Ukraine, Israel, climate, crime, immigration, the economy, AI and technology, etc, etc. Many of these, if not most, are at best “half truths”, but are all consumed with little effort one the side of the consumer. They are all written as factual, of course, regardless of the level of truth they contain. Written in a way to make you think in a certain way. Let’s be honest, to manipulate your thinking.
This behavior of manipulation stretches in to the church as well. Most church goers sit on a Sunday morning, just consuming what is being said. Or perhaps watch a “Christian” movie or read a “Christian” book, but not really challenging the content, verifying that it is in fact biblical truth being served. Why? Because it is effort, and many are not familiar with the Bible. It is easier to just consume, especially what sounds good. This has led us to all sorts of evil infiltrating the believers, weakening the church. Christian leaders cowering to worldly, secular values and congregations following along. Are Christians, including you and I,
able to receive truth today?
In the focus verse today, Jesus told the truth about what was about to happen to him. “And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.”” Luke 18:31-33 ESV. But Luke, as well as the disciples, recognized later that they were
unable to receive this truth.
It says that it was hidden from them. It wasn’t as if God had hidden it from them. No, Jesus was trying to tell them! In fact, he told them the truth about his suffering and death multiple times, but it says that “they did not grasp what was said”. They couldn’t comprehend it. This truth was so against what they had been taught, again their beliefs, understanding and logic, that they couldn’t get it. Just couldn’t receive the truth.
Keep in mind, these were even Jesus disciples, and the words spoken directly by Jesus! And, regardless of their ability to receive this truth, it was still the truth. It still happened, exactly as Jesus said it would. Because it was the truth. It wasn’t until later that “their eyes were opened”, that they were able to grasp the truth Jesus told them. Not able to grasp, to receive truth
is a real thing!
It was the case back then, and is the case still today. It is one of the most significant stumbling blocks for accepting and following Christ. So, the question is, what and who are you following? Are you able to receive truth? Are you really seeking truth or just consuming content? I mean, are you seeking to understand what is the truth? Jesus said warned us of all the lies and deceptions in the world, even to his followers “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:24 ESV. But he also said ““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 ESV.