I am the way and the truth and the life. (John 14:6)
The film Moulin Rouge tells an enlightning story of the so-called “bohemian” ideals of truth, beauty, freedom and love. The dreamers, artists and prophets of our world often live lives of pretense. It seems that those who see more clearly often give up hope in the possibility the truth can be reached and daily reality. Reacting to this hopelessness, they spend their days searching for the elusive transcendent moment. In doing so, however, the unwittingly compromise the ideal say so passionately espouse.
The truth reached in a theatrical production is only a shadow of the truth, as each player is a pretender, acting out the life of another. The truth offered in a musical composition emerges as the music reaches its climax, where reality drops away and both performer and audience are swept to a far-off place. These are only fleeting shadows of reality, a hint of something greater. They are vein attempts to connect with that for which man was made.
In our postmodern age, truth has been confused and cheapened. In such an age, it is easy to give up hope in ultimate truth. Yet Jesus Christ said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus didn’t only speak truth; He is the truth. And it is this truth that invites us to intimacy, to experience the reality of true connection with Him. How many passionate seekers settle for a mere shadow of truth, the opportunities here to follow and worship the one who is truth.
When Jesus walked on the earth, He challenged a group of followers to delve into the depths of truth. He challenged them to delve into Him. Jesus incarnated truth, and He asked them to do the same, to move from believing His words to living them. Only then would they find truth. Only then would they surrender their shadows for the real thing.
Dig Deeper:
Read John 8:31-36. This week, meditate on the metaphor of shadows. Are you living in the shadow of truth, or are you delving into the True One?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, Jesus called You the spirit of truth and said You would lead and guide me into all truth. Forgive me for the ways I’ve settle for shadows of truth, and help me instead pursue Jesus Christ.
