Good morning: Before making a purchase, do you check the reviews on Amazon? Do 10,000 positive comments convince you to buy the product? Do you base your choice of vacation lodging on what others are saying on Tripadvisor? Countless polls tell us that 60% of Americans agree with a certain viewpoint. 90% disapprove of something else. It’s easy to get the impression that the gauge of truth is what the majority believe. That’s not always the case. Did you ever buy a product based on glowing reviews only to discover that it was really junk? Maybe you were pleasantly surprised to find that the hotel which had a terrible reputation on social media was actually a nice, no-frills spot for a good night’s rest. Truth is truth, whether it is wildly popular or completely disparaged. There was a time during Jesus’ ministry when the majority of reviews were very positive. People were impressed because He spoke with authority, unlike the Pharisees. Jesus’ words were backed up by stunning miracles of healing and help in the most desperate of circumstances. But when Jesus spoke of Himself as the living bread from heaven, many said, “This is a hard saying,” and no longer followed Him. Today too it is not popular to believe that Jesus is the Bread from heaven, the only “food” which feeds souls with forgiveness and gives eternal life. But truth is truth, no matter what. Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn. 14:6). Don’t let popular opinion polls, science, or social media trends determine what absolute truth is. Trust that truth which doesn’t change. Heaven and earth will pass away, but the Lord’s Word stands forever, no matter what. When the crowds abandoned Him, Jesus asked the disciples whether they wanted to leave too. Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (Jn. 6:68-69). May we live in that truth today and look forward to hearing it again tomorrow in the Lord’s house. Yours in Christ, Pastor One service tomorrow at 9 a.m.
