The Simple Truth

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

Telling the truth clears the air. It’s amazing how much good is accomplished when the plain truth is revealed. One of my favorite passages in the Bible is, And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free [John 8:32].

But the simple truth is not always understood. Sometimes, our prejudices get in the way. There are times when our minds are made up, so we refuse the simple truth by saying, “Don’t confuse me with the facts, my mind is already made up!” And often, the simple truth is just hard to believe. 

That was the case with Jesus and His disciples. When He spoke plainly about His suffering and death, they took issue with Him. Peter is the one who spoke out, but they all thought the same thing. After Jesus announced His rejection by the religious leaders, His suffering, death, and resurrection, Peter blurted out, “These things shall never be!” His response drew one of the most scathing remarks ever leaving the lips of our Savior. He said, “Get thee behind me Satan!” Wow!

Everyone has their own beliefs, thoughts, and impressions regarding Jesus and His ministry, many of which are contrary to biblical teaching. So here is the simple truth.

Jesus was punished for what I deserved to be punished for. 

Jesus was crucified and bore the burden of death that my sin demanded. 

Jesus rose from the dead to rescue me from the clutches of hell and the grave. 

Jesus’ ministry uncovers the awful truth that I am blind, dead, and hostile to God. 

In Jesus, I see just how helpless and hopeless I am, and that He is the only One who can secure my eternal freedom.

The simple truth is hard to swallow. I desperately need Jesus. But isn’t that why He came; to rescue people like you and me? “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost” [Luke 19:10]. 

And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. Mark 8:31-32