Jesus replied, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world - to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37)
I woke and heard large molars crunching food on the other side of the nylon tent. I was nervous about our first camping trip in Africa, and sounds grew ominous in the black of night. Everything was on the menu for something else.
By morning light, the spore (nice word for poo), confirmed our nocturnal visitor was only a vegetarian eland. I was relieved that nothing had been hungry enough to eat sour, old white guy.
Among humans there are differences in our appetite for truth. Some only want truth when it brings personal gain. Others crave truth no matter the cost to temporal self. We range from animalistic snackers to Spirit hungry gorgers.
In the Gospels, Jesus speaks shocking truths that I often water down with my interpretations. I take “lose your life,” and “turn the other cheek,” and make them into irrelevant metaphors. Read as literal commands, they’re too potent for my delicate palate.
Jesus is the embodiment of truth. He not only speaks absolute truth, but he also carries my falsehood to his cross. Thus, he encourages my desire for more unvarnished reality. I want to feast in the Bible, and swallow its truth into who I am.
Prayer: King Jesus, make me a truth eater.