One Perspective on “The Truth”:

Jesus has said that he is “the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)

God’s truth is revealed through Jesus and from Jesus through the Bible, the Word of God. Sometimes, the picture that is painted by God Word isn’t something that I want to accept right off. Sometimes I don’t like to see the “truth” the way Jesus sees it. In those instances, I have to step back and honestly sort through the emotion and reactions God’s truth stirs up in me. I have to ask, “What my matter with all that?” “Why am I reacting so dramatically?” I have to process my stuff to come to a new pattern of thinking and acting that is in line with God’s truth, God’s way.

During the time that Knute Rockne was coaching at Notre Dame, a sports column in a South Bend newspaper earned the reputation of being the meanest, most biting, most cutting one in the country. The writer of the column, who wrote anonymously, knew the Notre Dame team very well. He wrote about their weaknesses. He pointed out the mistakes of individual players. He told about those who were lazy and those who were conceited. He told about those who broke training and who preferred to spend their time doing other things than preparing themselves to play a good football game.

The column made the players roaring mad. The truth telling of the writer really hurt. The team complained to Rockne. He was a sympathetic listener, but he said that he could not stop the writer. He advised that the only way in which the players could do so was to go out and play the game so well that they would prove the words written about them were not true.

It was later discovered that the writer of the column was Rockne himself. As coach of the team, he was best acquainted with their weaknesses. The critical column was his ingenious device to make a better team.

In the journey of life, in the path of faith, Jesus is our coach. Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. Jesus wants nothing more than for us to be “winners” in the game of life. Jesus knows that we cannot achieve “Kingdom Greatness” unless we know the truth. Knowing the truth of God’s game plan frees us to discipline ourselves in the way of being faithful disciples.

Jesus has also said, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:32)