Read Matthew 26:58-68
Why is the TRUTH seen as lies and the LIES seen as truth?
Jesus was taken to the high priest, Ciaphas, and Peter was following him from a distance and even entered the courtyard and sat down with some of the officers to see the outcome of the trial. What did Peter see during this “Trial?”
1. He saw the high priest and the whole Council present a whole lot of lies about Jesus in hopes it would be seen as truth.
2. The goal of the high priest and Council was not to find the TRUTH but to see Jesus dead.
3. When Jesus told the TRUTH that he was the Messiah, the Son of God, then the high priest and Council used the TRUTH against Jesus in order to have him put to death. They called this TRUTH a lie!
I find this ironic. They could not make up enough lies to convict Jesus. So they take the TRUTH, call it a lie, then use it against Jesus in order to put him to death. The only way you can do that is if you aren’t able to recognize TRUTH as TRUTH.
It’s the same today. You mention the name Jesus to someone who doesn’t believe, and you may be attacked as if you were a Hitler fan. What was Jesus’s crime? He loved us! He died for us! He saved us! Why can’t people see this TRUTH of Love? The same reason the religious leaders didn’t see it: God was not their father. The devil was their father, John 8:42-45. They were deceived.
Why do people hate us Christians? Because they don’t know Jesus – I John 3:1. If they really knew who Jesus was, they would love him. They would see Jesus in us and would love us.
To me, love is what breaks down the walls of hate. I don’t want to tell people I’m a Christian for fear they don’t like Christians and will immediately put a wall up against me.
I would rather treat people with love, dignity, and respect. I want to captivate their attention with how I love on them. Then when I do bring Jesus into the conversation, their wall doesn’t go up, because it was prefaced with the love of Christ, rather than condemnation.
CHALLENGE: Let love be your approach to captivate the hearts of others for Jesus.
For those who have already concluded you are evil, keep showing the love of Christ with your words and actions. The truth of who you really are won’t be determined by a debate but through the consistency of showing Christ’s Love.
