How does Matthew 28:15 challenge us to uphold truth in our communities? Setting the Scene “ So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this account has been circulated among the Jews to this very day.” (Matthew 28:15) • Religious leaders bribed the guards to deny Christ’s resurrection. • A single fabricated story gained wide acceptance “to this very day,” showing how quickly error spreads when it is funded, organized, and repeated. • The verse appears almost incidental, yet it exposes a sobering reality: entire communities can be shaped by a lie if no one intervenes with truth. The Power of a Lie • Lies are persuasive when they appear convenient or self-protective. • The guards preferred money and safety over honesty, illustrating how personal gain often fuels falsehood. • By noting the longevity of the rumor, Scripture reminds us that deceit rarely dies out naturally; it must be confronted. Truth as a Non-Negotiable • Jesus identified Himself as “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). To follow Him is to side with truth, even when it costs. • John 8:32: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Freedom—personal and communal—hinges on truth. • Ephesians 4:25: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are members of one another.” Upholding truth is a family obligation within the body of Christ and in the wider community. • Proverbs 12:19: “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is only for a moment.” Lies have short-term appeal; truth carries eternal weight. Practical Ways to Uphold Truth in Our Communities 1. Model integrity in speech • Refuse exaggeration, gossip, and half-truths. • If you err, correct the record quickly. 2. Discern information sources • Compare news, social posts, and cultural narratives with Scripture’s values. • Teach children and younger believers how to test claims against God’s Word. 3. Confront falsehood lovingly • Address misinformation with patience and clarity, not arrogance. • 2 Timothy 2:24–25: “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be kind to everyone… gently instructing opponents.” 4. Support truth-telling institutions • Encourage honest journalism, transparent governance, and ethical businesses. • Engage civically: vote, write letters, attend meetings where truth needs a voice. 5. Celebrate testimonies of truth • Share real-life stories of God’s faithfulness; testimonies counter lies about His power and goodness. • Revelation 12:11: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Encouragement from Other Scriptures • Psalm 15:1–2: “O LORD, who may dwell in Your tent? … He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness and speaks the truth from his heart.” • 1 Peter 3:15: “Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” Our defense rests on truthful proclamation of Christ’s resurrection—the very event Matthew 28:15 sought to silence. • Philippians 4:8: “Whatever is true… dwell on these things.” Filling our minds with truth equips us to spread it. Taking the Challenge Home Matthew 28:15 is more than a historical footnote; it is a wake-up call. A lie about the most pivotal event in history circulated because people chose secrecy over sincerity. Today, we are the witnesses Christ has placed in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and online spaces. By valuing truth, speaking it boldly yet graciously, and exposing deception with light from God’s Word, we honor the risen Lord and safeguard our communities from the corrosive power of falsehood. |
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