“…and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:32 NASB
In the gospels are recorded life changing encounters that Jesus had with individuals. Within a few words, He revealed to them that He knew them completely. In John 1, Nathanael, asked Jesus at their first encounter, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree, before Philip called you to come.” Wow. His eyes. All seeing. His heart. All knowing. There is nothing about us that He does not know already completely.
So, why is it that we hide our truths from Him? Our sorrows, our disappointments. Our failures. Our shame? Are we afraid that the mess we find ourselves in will disappoint Him? Cause Him to stop caring about us?
We shun prayer, and even the Word of God, lest that which is sharper than a two edged sword cut asunder those things twisted up inside our hearts and expose us to our truths. We forget that when Jesus is with us, we can face anything. He, by the Holy Spirit, has promised to be our Helper.
A beautiful passage of Scripture is where Jesus looked upon the multitudes, and His heart was moved with compassion. Not anger or disgust. Not judgement or condemnation. Compassion, which has been described as an emotion that produces action. And that compassion led Him into those crowds to help them. Feed them. Heal them. Deliver them.
Ultimately that compassion would send Him to the cross, to die for their/and our/yet unconfessed sins. For Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the WORLD. Such thoughts are beyond our comprehension. Such love is worth our everything.
In another encounter with a woman at a well, who had 5 husbands and the one she was living with was NOT her husband, Jesus decides to share with her amazing revelation. She asks, “Are you the Messiah?” Of all the great men and leaders, in His life, it was to this dear and lowly woman, whose life was in shambles, He answered freely. “I who am speaking to you, AM HE.”
Jesus also tells her: “A time is coming, and NOW IS, when true worshippers will worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth. They are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and they who worship Him must worship in Spirit and in truth.” Jn 4:23-24.
Let us come to His wonderful Throne of Grace, and behold His truth, let Him heal and touch all that is broken in us. And there, worship Him in Spirit and in truth.
~ Debbie Ecker