12 Days of Christmas: Day #3 Jesus is TRUTH

Truth. Our hearts long for truth in every season, and perhaps all the more during the Christmas season. We feel a deeper sense of violation when we witness injustice or deceit. Our lips cry out in agony and our souls groan for justice. Our hearts long for truth to be revealed and revered, protected and upheld.

Why is this? Could it be because Jesus, our Savior, the One we seek to celebrate, is truth, and these violations are not in keeping with “the spirit of Christmas” or, even more, “the spirit of Truth?”

This thinking may not be in fashion or favor, but there is an absolute truth–a truth that is not relative, to be determined by each man–a truth that is absolutely found in Jesus Christ alone. 

Jesus said of Himself, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). He is the absolute, unchanging truth, the only way to be reconciled to the Father, and the only way to life…full life here and eternal life with Him forever. 

Do we absolutely believe this?

Scripture tells us that grace and truth came through Jesus (John 1:17). Truth was a vital component of His ministry and mission during His time on earth. 

In fact, in John 18:37, Jesus told Pilate that it was “for this purpose [he] was born, and for this purpose [he had] come into the world–to bear witness to the truth.” Jesus came to bear witness to the truth. The truth. The truth of the gospel, the truth of the Father’s covenant love, the truth of every man’s need for a Savior. 

He came to proclaim truth to the world. He came to demonstrate truth to the world. He came to embody truth in the world. 

He continued by saying, “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice” (John 18:37). To listen is to hear and obey–to take this knowledge and to walk in it. 

Jesus desires that we come to a knowledge of the truth and then walk in that truth–a reality of grace that actually makes us free–free from the burden of sin, free from the burden of shame and guilt, and free to share that truth with others, that they may come to know Jesus and walk in the truth of who He is. This is our faith-filled response to the truth, and it is the truth that sets us free.

It’s important to note that, while we are called to walk in this truth and while it sets us free, we are not promised ease and comfort in this lifetime in return for this obedience. Jesus Himself was not spared in His walking in truth, and indeed Scripture warns us that we will undoubtedly suffer for standing for truth, but we can rest in the promise that we will ultimately find peace and joy by doing so. We can rest in the promise that we will ultimately please our Father as we know and walk in the absolute truth of Jesus. 

The Apostle John said that he had “no greater joy than to hear [his] children are walking in the truth” (3 John 4). He knew those who walked in truth did so by counting the cost and bearing up in hardship. He knew they sought to follow Jesus in His truth, no matter what. And we can do similarly, as we bring joy to our heavenly Father by walking in the truth of Jesus Christ this Advent and Epiphany season, and in the seasons that follow.   

How does considering this attribute of Jesus–His being truth–affect your today?

How does it impact your adoration and worship of Jesus Christ? 

How does it give you hope? How does it increase your joy?

 Will you walk in that truth, and so bring your Father joy? Take a moment to pause in prayer. Thank God for the powerful reality of grace that Jesus is truth–a truth that is absolute and unchanging. Thank Him for providing a consistent truth that is for our good and for His glory–a truth that opens hearts and minds and changes lives.  Confess to Him any ways you have run from, rejected, or ignored His truth. Confess any ways you struggle to obey His truth. Ask for forgiveness for ways you have compromised His truth. Ask for His help to be unashamedly rooted in His truth, regardless of what others believe or think. Ask Him to allow the truth of His Word to penetrate your heart and transform your mind to know His truth and let it change your life. Thank Him for the opportunity to learn from and walk in His truth again today.