Life and Truth

The Psalmist writes,

"I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies. I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O LORD, according to your justice give me life. They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from your law. But you are near, O LORD, and all your commandments are true. Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever. (Psalm 119:146-152 ESV)

As recorded in the gospel of John, Jesus said about His heavenly Father, "Thy word is truth" (John 17:17). Matthew records in his gospel that Jesus repels the devil's attacks with the Holy Word of God. Indeed, Jesus rebukes the temptation to turn stones into bread when He emphatically says, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). Both the Psalmist and Jesus have inextricably woven together life with knowing the truth of God's word.

Interestingly enough, in the gospel of John the eternal logos, or Word that dwelt with God the Father from the beginning of time, literally becomes food for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. John records Christ as saying,

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” (John 6:53-58 ESV)

Christ is the bread that came down from heaven. John says that He tabernacled amongst us and we beheld His glory as the only Son of the Father "full of grace and truth " (John 1:14). Yes, as Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6). The truth of God's Word and life can't be separated.

Truth is such a precious gift given to us through God's revealed Word. As David sang, "I hope in your words." Where there is God's Word we find the truth, life, and hope is given to sinful creatures who would otherwise be lost and hungry in terrible darkness.

I thank the Lord for the life and truth He has graciously given to me. God be praised! Amen.