Theme: I am The Truth
Text: John 1:14-17 & 14:6
Greetings & Introduction:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In May 2021, we will meditate and concentrate on the claims of Jesus Christ in John 14:6 'I am the Truth'.
This sentence has to be divided and read as “I AM” and “The TRUTH.” In Malachi 3:6, God declares, “I the Lord do not change…”. In Hebrews 13:8, we read, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever.” Jesus is the mark of integrity, a symbol of justice, and defendable. He never changes himself.
We are talking of TRUTH, which is Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment and personification of TRUTH. Some translators try to say that Jesus said: "I am A way, A truth, and A life." But the real text communicates that Jesus said: "I am THE Way, THE Truth, and THE life.”
1. Jesus is “I am” and “the Truth” (John 14:6).
The word “I AM” is an exclusive word used to refer to the Almighty God. It has referred to God of the Old Testament, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 15:1, Exodus 3:6). He revealed this name to Moses in Exodus 3:14. Yahweh told Moses that his name is “ I am that I am”. Truth is God’s very nature, character, and person. That every person is Jesus. Truth in words, deeds, and finally through sacrificial life was the mark of Jesus Christ. He is the absolute Truth; Universal Truth; and Ultimate Truth.
Truth alone triumphs- the phrase is the direct Hindi translation of "Satyameva Jayate" which is cited from Mundaka Upanishad of Hindu Veda. Republic India has adopted this phrase as the national motto on 26 January 1950. Here Truth has been interpreted as righteousness, integrity, morality, etc.
There were many philosophers, religious teachers, hermits, gurus, and sadhus. Some even claimed as avatars of gods and goddesses, but none could dare to say 'I am the Truth' except Jesus Christ.
2. Jesus is full of Grace and Truth (John 1:14-17).
As per Hinduism, Truth should be spoken with honesty, straightforward, and dealt with non-duplicitous with the world. According to Jainism, truth is rooted in the notion that there is one truth, but only enlightened beings can perceive it in its entirety; unenlightened beings perceive only one side of the truth. In Islam, Truth lies as being the one true religion and the ultimate answer to all moral questions. Islam itself, as being the one true religion and ultimate answer to every moral question.
Religions talk about Truth. But Jesus exhibited love in action. That act of divine love is known as grace. Christ came into this world not to condemn but to forgive. He came to seek and save the lost with the favor of God. His birth brought peace and favor to men (Luke 2:14).
‘Jesus was the fountain of all truth; that by his inspiration the prophets spoke, and that by him all truth is communicated to men’ (Albert Barnes). “He is not an illusion to deceive us, what he spoke is beyond questioning. He does not have a sting of falsehood” (Great Biblical Commentary). He told us to answer Yes as Yes and No as No. God visited people with grace and love. He went around doing good to everyone (Acts 10:38). Christ removes the ignorance of man.
3. Truth and Me.
Today, the Truth is corrupted, altered, and modified to suit the powerful and the wealthy. Truth on earth could be purchased and out of reach to the poor and needy. All sorts of things are done on earth to establish lie as truth and to destabilize Truth. Jesus as Truth leads me from ignorance to truth.
Jesus told his disciples that they would know the truth, and truth would set them free (John 8:31-41). Holy Spirit will lead them into all the Truth (John 16:23). Truth sets them free from the slavery of sin, fear of death, fear of uncertainties, and fear of hell and eternal condemnation. So, worship the Lord in Truth (John 4:21-26). Bible strongly emphasizes that Truth will certainly bring victory, justice, and wealth. Paul writes to Timothy to handle the Truth correctly, which means understand, teach and communicate to others (2 Timothy 2:14-26). He even challenged believers at Philippi to think and Practice Truth in their daily lives (Philippians 4:1-9).
Jesus declared that his kingdom is the kingdom of Truth which is synonymous with the kingdom of God. The Kingdom of Truth has no place for injustice, denial of rights but has equality of sex, race, and nations. All will be treated equally and esteemed highly (John 18:36-28).
The Kingdom of Truth shall be established only by Christ and by his followers. There is an end to all who are against the Kingdom of Truth. The Truth lives forever means truth alone triumphs at the end. All other forms of deceitful things and half-truths will one day vanish and be destroyed (Proverbs 12:17-27).
Conclusion:
The Truth must be experimented with by everyone. It has to be exhibited to all through the love, care, and favor of God. Every sentence we utter, and every deal we make with one another is tested by Truth.
