David Radford

John 8:32
Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him “If you continue in my word you are truly my disciples and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” 

Mark 10:35-37, 41-45
And Jesus and John the sons of Zebedee came forward to him and said to him “Teacher

we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you”. And he said to them “what do you want me to do for you”. And they said to him “Grant us to sit one on your right hand and one on your left in your glory. 

And when the ten heard it they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them. “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the gentiles lord it over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man who came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 

Reflection:
Jesus and his disciples spent approximately three years together. Some of it is recorded in the gospels but probably 95% of their activities are not recorded. I like to consider and speculate on their daily lives. What did they do for fun? Who had the best sense of humor? Did they have any pets? In a more serious vein, Jesus and the disciples were meeting people daily. Jesus had supreme insight into what these people were doing right and wrong. Did he correct people in the details of their lives and their beliefs? I doubt that he did this. Jesus “knew the truth” but he probably reserved his corrective talk for important matters. James and John were clearly wrong in their desire to be first in the coming kingdom. It was important for Jesus to correct them on this most basic of Christian principles, that we must serve our fellow man to be a part of the future kingdom.

In my daily life, I struggle with when to confront my friends and associates on statements they make that I consider untrue. As a lawyer, I have spent more than 57 years seeking the truth to be presented to judges and juries. I needed to be correct to properly represent my clients. On the façade of the University of Texas law school are the words of Jesus: “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” I have seen laymen and lawyers twist the truth for their purposes. In the public square today there are many untruths being stated. I have made it a habit to avoid confrontation and disputes on minor issues. However, where an untruth is major and basic I do believe that it would be intellectually dishonest not to state what I consider to be the truth. In our day, there are some popular untruths that threaten much of our public life together. It’s times like these when I wonder what Jesus would think and say? “If you continue in my word you are truly my disciples and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” 

Prayer
Our Father, help me to make truth and servanthood true norths in my life and take caution as untruths tempt me to seek fame and fortune. Thank you for the truth that sets me free. Amen.