At the time of Jesus the Jews came under the influence of false teachers whose teaching made the Mosaic Laws very oppressive. The Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus were feeding the people with these false teachings so much so that the Jews were held captive to very repressive beliefs.
It was not meant to be. God in Deuteronomy 30:11-14 actually made it very clear that His commandments and laws are not meant to be crippling
'Now what I have commanded you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us that we may obey it?" No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.'
Jesus refuted such oppressive and repressive teachings. He said that the truth of His teaching will be truly liberating, "Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."
Have you ever wondered why some people are captive to lies and false information? Why do they not want to know the truth? Perhaps they are too scared to know the reality. Perhaps they are too proud to admit that they are wrong. Perhaps their beliefs restrict them from exploring the truth about themselves nor to discover their reasons for living. Perhaps they are misled.
In this information-manipulative world, much of truth have been mixed with half-truths, half-lies and lies. So much misinformation has been spread online; sensational news, overblown claims, misinterpreted facts. For example, many listening to exaggerated news of side effects refused to take the Covid vaccines and prefered to remain unprotected. In a way the misinformation we consume from cyber communications manipulate us, control our thoughts and emotions. Many are ever willing to allow these lies influence our choices and lifestyles.
In 1969, Billy Graham in a classic sermon on Truth and Freedom spoke prophetically about this modern communication age and our attitudes towards truth. It may be worth our while to listen to this great preacher, it is liberating!
There is an information overload in this modern world. It is folly to listen to the many voices around us if we fail to listen to the one voice that really matters. Jesus is the voice of truth - Truth of God. Jesus is voice of authority - Breath of God. Jesus is the voice of solidarity - God with Us.
Lionel
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