Go to the Source
Upon finishing a Bible story, a child asked her
parent a good question. In Acts 3, Peter and John, by the power of Deity, heal
a beggar, lame for forty years. No doubt, an awesome sight to
behold, let alone experience. Can you just imagine the child’s gleeful
excitement?! The innocence and wonder of a child is exemplary to observe –
which might be why Jesus observed, "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew
18:4).
Peter and John, connecting this healing power to
Jesus’ resurrection, angered some embittered rivals of Jesus - the Sadducees -
who were “sad, you see” “for the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection,
nor an angel, nor a spirit” (Acts 23:8). These doctrinally wrong but
politically correct, Jewish leaders arrested Jesus’ apostles for doing
something good.
Attitude leads to actions. This is true whether
our attitudes are godly or devilish. This is true whether our actions are
extensive or simply expressive.
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The Sadducees were more interested in authority
and political gain, than authenticity or spiritual gain.
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The apostles were more interested in showing
others that Jesus had been resurrected and wanted to have a relationship with
those needing hope and forgiveness.
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Quick check – How is our attitude? What are our
actions?
Let’s go back to the child’s curious question:
“Why did they arrest them?” After relating the unbelieving history of these sad
people in reference to God raising the dead, the little girl made an astute
observation: “Why didn’t they just go to the tomb?” Good question. Let me
rephrase that – great question! Again, we can learn so much from the
innocent perceptions of children.
The Source – the Tomb
Anyone doubting the resurrection could have easily
gone to the empty tomb. The tomb represented the truth. The tomb was the source
of truth. That may be why so many Jews obeyed the gospel so early in the
beginning. The tomb was evidently empty, and they knew the rumored story of the
disciples stealing the body to be more unbelievable than the resurrection
itself (Matthew 28:11-15)! Why didn’t these Sadducees just go to the source of
truth? Simple - because they didn’t want to. Even had
they gone, if they wished to disbelieve, then
disbelieve they would. Open eyes never see if the heart is closed and blind.
And if they did believe, that does not mean they would automatically change.
Belief is only powerful if we let it change our lives (John
The Source – the Bible
Life hasn’t changed much, has it? Today, anyone
can go to our source of truth - the Bible. Today’s Bible is yesterday’s tomb.
Look at all the different religious beliefs out there. How often have people
believed error, when all they needed to do is go to the source, the Bible? And
if they do go, why do people not believe what they read? Why do we not believe?
Do I really need to say? Remember, no miracle is more awesome than God’s
revelation - each exists by the same power of God. For truth, go to the source!
The Source – the Accused
Let’s make another application that might have
more direct, practical, meaning to us. We need to the go to the source when we
hear nasty rumors about another. Have you ever walked into a room, or walked by
a group of people busily talking, and then – bam! – they
stopped talking? Hurts, doesn’t it?! Rumors, gossip, tale-bearing, all could be
stopped if we had the courage to go to the person being trashed and ask them –
the source – what is true. The advantages of this are enormous and eternal.
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One, we won’t be sinning by gossiping.
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Two, we won’t believe evil of someone who is
good.
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Three, if the gossip is true, then we have shown
our concern for a friend.
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Four, when we show concern for someone, we can
help them repent.
When we hear things that are
not complimentary, go to the source.
If a child can figure out how to find truth, can
we? “And a child shall lead them….”
Perry D. Hall