Eloquence is the power to translate a truth into language perfectly intelligible to the person to whom you speak.- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Unlike many Christians I know, I did not grow up hearing the words of Jesus. My glimpses of Him came during my final year of college as I studied the gospel of John. Each new story illustrated a different facet of His character. The more I studied, the more my admiration for Him grew. I have shared many of these stories in my previous blog posts. 

One final story illustrated a pivotal point in my studies.

During the Feast of Tabernacles, the Pharisees and chief priests noticed the multitude’s growing faith in Jesus. By ordering His arrest, they hoped to silence Him. But the temple guards returned empty-handed.

When asked why they failed to deliver Jesus, they simply responded:

“No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied. (John 7:46 NIV)

The temple guards’ words echoed my own experience. Never had I encountered someone who spoke truth as eloquently as Jesus. Through His words and actions, Jesus continually offered proof He had come from God. 

However, throughout His ministry, people remained divided. Some believed He was the Messiah and sent from God, but others doubted. Both groups sincerely held to their beliefs.

Someone once told me we can be sincerely wrong. In other words, we can be sincere and wrong at the same time. But when we encounter the truth, we must choose. We can be sincere, or we can be wrong, but we can no longer be both.

The temple guards recognized the deity and innocence of Jesus. Risking penalty from the religious leaders, they refused to arrest Him. They chose sincerity.

The religious leaders heard the same message as the guards. Refusing to accept the truth, they persisted in being wrong. 

In the same way, everyone who comes into contact with Jesus must make a decision. This is because:

The words of Jesus ring true. 

Thirty-eight years ago, I faced the truth of Jesus. Like the temple guards and the religious leaders, I also had to make a choice.

I chose to accept the truth and began following Jesus on the road less traveled. As I continue in my journey, I pray His words continue to amaze me. Wherever you are in your journey, I pray you, too, will be inspired by His truth.