R.E.A.P. your daily devotions with Linda Bailey

Let's not stop the truth getting in the way of a good story!

Matthew 9.1-17

Reference: v.11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" (NIV Bible)

 Explore:  Gossip is a billion dollar industry.  News scoops, celebrity magazines, sporting rumours.  The media jumps on them all to try to sell their product.  Often the rumour will sell better than the actual story!  And so journalists will try to link any connection with someone famous so they can construct a story that sounds interesting.  Their source could be a very loose connection but let's not stop the truth getting in the way of a good story!
When the Pharisees questioned Jesus' actions it's interesting to see that they didn't go to the original source to ask the question.  Instead they asked Jesus' disciples about his meal with 'sinners'.  Were they afraid of hearing the truth?  Would it be too confronting?  Did they actually want the truth at all?

Application:  Sometimes the truth is the hardest thing to hear.  Maybe we would prefer the side story rather than the confronting news that may challenge us to change how we view the world.  And yet in the gospel of John Jesus declares to be 'the Truth'.  If it's something Jesus was, then it's something we need to aim for as well.  Even when the truth is hard to handle or the elaborated version is more interesting, we must strive to go straight to the source of all truth and be willing to be challenged by God through hearing truth.

Prayer:  Lord God, you are the source of all knowledge and truth.  May I be reminded today the importance of speaking truth so that other people will know You.  Amen.