Epiphany 2024: Truth

Authors of the Old Testament consistently describe the mystery of God’s character this way: “Compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, overflowing with loyal love and faithfulness.”

That last word, ‘faithfulness,’ is the hebrew word ’emet,’ which can also be translated as ‘truth’. It’s where we get the expression ‘Amen,’ meaning, “that’s the truth.”

‘Emet’ can refer to correct ideas or concepts. When it describes people, however, it refers to reliable character or trustworthiness. To say that God is full of ’emet’ means that God tells the truth, and even more, that God is faithful and trustworthy.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises that the Truth will set us free (8:24), and later claims to be the Truth (14:6).

Thus, in this era where the desire for authenticity is high, and “fake news” is a commonplace accusation, we listen closely for Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

What does this mean for us in a pluralistic, post-modern society? What does it mean to be a people of Truth?