In 1941, a book called Curious George told the story of a monkey named George, who was captured in Africa by a man with a yellow hat, and brought by ship to a big city to live in a zoo. In 1947, a second book told of George escaping from the zoo, and eventually being found by the man with the yellow hat, who takes him to his home.
In the real world, there was also a very famous man named George, who became the first president of the United States. There was also a book written about him, and it was called The Life of Washington. In the book there is a famous legend about George receiving a hatchet from his father as a gift. This George, too, was curious, and the legend says that he tested the hatchet on his father’s favorite cherry tree, greatly angering his father. The legend says that when asked about it, George said, “Father, I cannot tell a lie … I did cut it with my hatchet.” His father embraced him and told him that his honesty was worth more than a thousand trees.
Long before a book about a monkey named George, or a future president named George, Jesus said in John 8:32, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” When people tell a lie, they often have to tell another lie to cover up for the first lie. This often leads to more lies, and it is not until they decide to be honest that they are set free from their web of lies and deceit.
Jesus was all about truth and honesty, and in John 14:6 He said about Himself, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father except by me.” There have been individuals who have lived before and after the time of Jesus who made claims to be the Messiah promised by God. In Matthew 24, Jesus said, “There shall arise false Christs (Messiahs), and false prophets, and they shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive even the very elect. This is why Jesus promised in John 14 that He would send the Spirit of truth to take His place after He was gone. He explained to His disciples in John 16 that the Holy Spirit would lead them into all truth, and teach them, as well as remind them, about all the things Jesus had taught them.
Once we know the truth, we will be well-prepared to defend ourselves from the lies and deceits of the devil, who wants to destroy our souls and put us in spiritual bondage. Jesus wants to give us life, and He wants to give it to us abundantly.
Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville. Everyone is welcome to attend. For information, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.
