Bible Text: Hebrews 1:1-2 | Speaker: Dr. Harold J. Sala | Series: Guidelines For Living | In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.                     Hebrews 1:1-2

The late Clyde McDowell told the story of a man who came to visit an old friend, a music teacher.  As the man entered the studio, he asked, “What’s the good news today?”  The old teacher said nothing for a moment, then stood up and slowly walked across the room.  He picked up a tuning fork and struck it a sharp blow.  As the melodic sound filled the room, he said, “That is ‘A’.  It is ‘A’ today; it was ‘A’ 5,000 years ago and it will be ‘A” 10,000 years from now.  The soprano upstairs sings off-key, the tenor across the hall flats on his high notes, and the piano downstairs is out of tune.”  He struck the note again and said, “That is ‘A,’ my friend, and that’s the good news for today.”

I smile as I share this with you.  Obviously, the old music teacher was a narrow-minded bigot, right?  He insists that “A” is “A” neither more nor less, and by that perfect pitch, he judges who is flat or sharp.  No, he’s not a bigot.  He simply knows the truth.

When a world is hopelessly out of tune, the person who knows what a true “A” is seems to be out of step with society, not quite plugged into the current.  Have you discovered it is intellectually acceptable to pursue the truth as long as you don’t find it, but once you say, “This is it!” you become a bigot, a narrow-minded exclusivist to those around you?

Do you remember the conversation which once took place between Jesus Christ  and Pilate in a Roman court long ago?  “What is truth?” Jesus was asked.  Yes, what is it?  In a prayer for His disciples Jesus said, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).  For Jesus Christ, it was simple.  Truth was God’s revelation of Himself to us, and what God told us about our lives, ourselves, our relationships, and the boundaries of these relationships was true.

The New Testament writers were convinced that God had revealed His truth through His son and through the revelation of Himself which we call the Bible.  Hebrews 1: 1-2 says, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,  but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.”

Years ago Jane Fonda and the Archbishop of Canterbury were having a conversation, and the cleric chided Fonda, saying, “Jesus is the Son of God, you know.”  She retorted, “Maybe he is for you, but he’s not for me.”  “Well,” said the Archbishop, “either he is or he isn’t.”  But since then, Jane Fonda—to the great surprise of many and the chagrin of others–has changed her mind.  I believe she would now agree with the Archbishop. The issue is clear.  Either there is truth, or there is not.  Either the note “A” is true, or else those who sing flat are just as right as those whose pitch is perfect.

Ah, if you are still with me, you may be saying, “You made it pretty black and white.”  No, not really.  I’ve just told you how God made it.  Unfortunately, truth to Him—final truth—does not come in pastels or in different shades of gray.  It has an abrupt edge to it.  He never says, “Well, maybe” or “It could possibly be that,” or “however you see it is a judgment call.”  May God help us to be as narrow as the truth but as broad and loving as God Himself is.  The two are not contradictory for a moment.

Resource reading: John 17