A manger full of truth …

In his book, “A Whack on the Side of the Head,” Roger von Oech tells the story of two men who had a fierce argument. To settle the matter, they went to a judge for arbitration. The plaintiff forcefully made his case, being eloquent and persuasive in his argument. When he finished, the judge nodded and said, “That’s right, that’s right.”

On hearing this, the defendant jumped to his feet and objected, “Wait a second, Judge, you haven’t even heard my side of the story!”

So the judge told the defendant to state his case. He, too, was very eloquent and persuasive. When he finished, the judge responded, “That’s right, that’s right.”

When the court clerk heard this, he jumped to his feet and said, “Judge, they both can’t be right!”

The judge looked at the clerk, nodded his head, and said, “That’s right, that’s right.”

In this story, at least the clerk got it right — two completely opposite statements are not both going to be true, regardless of how eloquent or persuasive the argument.

There is a such a thing as truth and it can be found. The first place to look is in the manger on Christmas day! It was more than 30 years after His birth that Jesus would explain to an earthly ruler why He had been born that first Christmas so long ago …

“Pilate said, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus responded, ‘You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into this world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true’,” John 18:37.

Shortly after God created the world, Satan made a mess of things by introducing a lie, and the world has struggled with truth ever since …

“For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies,” John 8:44.

To fix this mess, Jesus was born into this world to bring us truth. It is found in Christ Himself!

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth … For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ,” John 1:14, 17 (NASB).

“Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me,” John 14:6.

Have you discovered the truth of Christ? Or are you still trying to argue in favor of a lie? May the truth be known afresh in you this Christmas season.

Scotty