Back in June 2002, Orlando Bethel, a preacher from Loxley, Alabama was scheduled to sing at the funeral of his wife’s uncle. Before he began singing hymns, however, Bethel wanted to say a few words about the departed – that he was a “drunkard” and a “fornicator,” and was now “burning in hell.” Bethel never sang – mourners attacked him, beat him up, and threw him out of the church. Bethel later claimed that “the Holy Ghost” instructed him to speak out, and added that the angry mourners were “whoremongers.”
When we were all little, we were instructed by parents, teachers, pastors, and coaches to “tell the truth.” Mr. Bethel may have taken that to the extreme. Jesus’ accusers thought they were telling the truth as they brought Him before the officials and read the criminal charges against Him. They said He was stirring up the people, claiming to be the Messiah, and inciting a rebellion against the government.
When Jesus spoke the truth, He was attacked, beat up, and thrown on a cross to pay for the lies that were being spoken against Him. He was suffering for all the times we have lied about our past, our present, and our future. At His burial, there would be no hymns sung, just a stone rolled before a tomb.
But thanks be to God, there was joy as “The Truth” emerged from His three-day prison. “The Truth” won out over the lies and schemes that had put Him there. He is Risen! He lives!
We live with the truth of that glorious moment each day of our life. We can speak about “The Truth” – the Lord our Savior, to a world and society that needs something solid to hang on to. “The Truth” cannot be denied. See you in worship!
In Christ,
Pastor