“CAN YOU HANDLE THE TRUTH?”
(Matthew 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16; Matthew 9:1-17; Mark 2:1-22;
Luke 5:17-39; John 5:1-47)
“Jesus gave them this answer: ‘I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.’” – John 5:19
A few years ago, there was a popular movie in which a famous line was spoken by one of the lead characters. He said, “You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth!” In a similar way, Jesus spoke this to those who were questioning His ability to heal and to forgive sin. Repeatedly, Jesus said “I tell you the truth…” Various translations render His words as “Truly, truly” or “Verily, verily.” Certain individuals, including numbers of Jews, many Pharisees, and others, wished to discredit the work Jesus was doing. And, Jesus’ response was “I tell you the truth!”
The question to those people – and to everyone today – is this – will you hear the truth?!
- Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life (:24)
- The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. (:25)
- All who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (:28-29)
Simple Truth:
God has spoken the truth through His Word. If you will hear Him, you will have eternal life!
Reflections & Application:
- God is speaking to you today through His Holy Spirit. What are you doing to allow yourself to hear His still, small voice?
- God continues to speak through His Word – the Bible. Are you spending time reading His Word each and every day?
- There is coming a time – very soon – when Christ shall return to this earth, and when He does, He will speak the word, and all who are in the graves shall rise! Some will rise to eternal life with the Lord. Others to eternal judgment. God is not willing that any would perish. Let’s do all we can to share the good news with those around us, so that they will hear!
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for Your Word, and that I have heard Your Word, and that You have given eternal life to me, as I believe what I have heard! Help me today to continue to hear, to trust, and to obey your direction in all that I do and say. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen!
About our Author
Tim Satryan has been in full time ministry since 1980. He has served five churches in four states. He has also served as the District Youth and Music Director for the PennDel Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God, was the Presbyter for the state of Delaware for over a decade, and for a number of years traveled with the AG Church Multiplication Network, teaching church planting and church revitalization.
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