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Truth on Trial

This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that He has borne concerning His Son. Whoever believers in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning His Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 John 5:6-12


Imagine with me a courtroom. There is a trial going on. But there’s a twist. Truth is the defendant. Truth is on trial.


When you think about it, it isn’t so hard to conceive of considering all of the world views out there right now. Many will tell you that truth is relative. Many will say that they believe in an absolute truth but that it is not our place to ever discover what that truth is. Some will claim apathy and choose to not even entertain the notion of truth.


Regardless of what your opinion of Jesus of Nazareth is, it is hard to argue against the evidence of Jesus’ profound impact on His culture and nearly every culture since. He was a real man. He walked among us. He performed many miracles. He claimed to be God. Many people testified to His resurrection and gave their lives instead of denouncing His deity.


It is impossible to argue with the influence that Jesus has had on the world. In John 18:37, Jesus tells us exactly why He walked the earth. He says “for this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world--to bear witness to the truth.”


Jesus’ whole reason for living among us was to testify to the truth in its most absolute sense. Every word, thought, and action of Jesus Christ was a testimony in defense of truth. He never wavered in His resolve to uphold and proclaim truth to the world.


Now join me back in the courtroom. The defense has called their only witness, God, the author of truth. I imagine the questioning to go something like this:


Lawyer: For the record state your full name.


God: The Almighty, Creator of the heavens and the earth, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, I AM.


Lawyer: God, I don’t think I need to inform you of why you are here, so I’ll get right to it. This man, Jesus of Nazareth, has made some pretty bold claims about being your Son and about being a King and having all authority given to Him. Are you aware of these claims?


God: Yes, I am very much aware of His claims.


Lawyer: Is it your testimony that His claims are true?


God: Absolutely. He is my Son. I have given Him authority to reign as King.


Lawyer: And how is it that we are supposed to believe your testimony?


God: Well, I have offered my testimony through my Spirit, at the baptism of my Son Jesus, and at the Cross where He was crucified. At His baptism, the heavens opened and my Spirit descended upon Him and all who were near heard my voice say “this is my Son in whom I am well pleased.” At His crucifixion, I brought incredible darkness over the land and tore the curtain in the temple the moment His Spirit left Him. Since that time, each and every person who has believed my testimony has been sealed with my Spirit and given the testimony to proclaim to others.


In each and every instance, my testimony has held up regardless of the claims of others. Truth will always win, you see. That is why I testify today on behalf of my Son. He is truth and He alone will remain when everything else fades. He exists to proclaim truth and to redeem all of my children who hear His voice and follow Him. It is my delight to give Him this authority.


Lawyer: Thank you, God. That is quite compelling. I have no further questions. You may step down.


The defense rests.

Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 6, 2010 at 9:43 PM

    I like how you ended this, straightforward and to the point. "The defense rests." Nice. :) Well put, though, Mr. Cyr. Truth is a subject we could go on and on about, but as it is, it will always be something people are going to get, or they just won't. We as followers need to be vigilant in this; that the Truth is shared, (though not beaten with) but shared with Grace and then, not simply shared, but applied as well. Many of us understand this Truth. But how many of us apply it? Thanks for the thoughts bud!

    ReplyDelete

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