Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent - March 16

 Jeremiah 11:18-20      John 7:40-53

Jesus has amassed a huge following overtime. Included in the crowd he gathered were guards and Pharisees. Many of the members in the crowd were so impressed with Jesus that they believed he was the Christ, the true Prophet. Yet others, with knowledge of the Scriptures, question his origin and assume he is a false messiah.

Speaking to the divided crowd, the Pharisee named Nicodemus reminds his fellow religious leaders that this man has done no wrong. “Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?” His colleagues taunt him for defending Jesus and turn their questioning toward him.  

Some in the crowd called for Jesus’ arrest. But the guards were amazed and in awe of him so made no move to lay hands upon him. However, this would not be the end of the conflict for Jesus.

Recognizing the truth is probably as difficult today as it was during the time of Christ. So much information from so many areas. What to believe from which sources, who should we trust and why? Where do the “experts” come from, where did they get their information? How much money do they have and how do they use that money and power to influence others?

I ask myself if I’m swayed more by someone’s words or their actions? My belief is that the demeanor, confidence and comfort level of the person telling the story, teaching the class, etc. translates to “truth-telling” for me. Also, the conviction a person has in what is being said influences my trust in the person.

Discerning the truth from a lie is often a challenge for many of us. A skill we must form overtime from our own life’s experience. Still, it is an uncomfortable challenge, one that we must navigate in a world filled with misinformation from so many forms of media. I try not to only listen for the loudest voice, but for the voices that seem to conform to the Will of God.

Q:  When am I more like Nicodemus, willing to listen and discern the validity of someone’s point? When have I simply gone along with the crowd?

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