I heard the knock at the door and went to answer. I caught my breath as I faced a six-foot figure with an ugly, weather beaten face, black, disheveled, straggly hair, a black flowing dress, accompanied by a black cape and pointed black hat; holding a straw broom. I was terrified, even though I knew who it was! Thankfully, my husband had gotten word of our guest, just before arrival!
As it turned out the “witch” at my door was a well-educated, college professor who had just left the home of another friend who did not know their guest. The husband knew his identity, but not the wife. Since the husband was part of the ruse, the “witch” played the part to the hilt, chasing the wife with “her” broom, right into the bathroom, where my friend straddled the tub in an effort to get away from the intruder. All the while the husband is rolling with laughter!
The true identity of the “witch” was exposed, once the total head piece was removed. But by then, my friend was so frightened by the ugly, menacing face and outfit, even with the removal of the costume, she could not be consoled. The husband and witch, once they realized how upset my friend was, apologized for the ruse.
Sometimes like the costumes worn for Halloween, which keeps faces hidden from those we don’t want others to see, we try to hide behaviors, and those things we find un-becoming about ourselves. This is by design because we don’t want people to know who really lurks behind the facade we are presenting.
When Baby Jesus arrived on the scene over 2000 years ago, he wore no costume, (other than swaddling infant clothes), and even though the scriptures had prophesied the event would happen, was completely missed (or seemingly hidden) by those who had long been waiting for the Messiah! Most expected a warrior who would put the government in their place and free them from political oppression.
Details can be most important and sometimes perplexing, even when they are right in front of us. Jesus, as he grew into adulthood and during his ministry, was questioned sometimes about small details. Many who asked were hoping he’d mess up!
In our own lives, there are times when we are asked a question or are just telling a story and the details become fuzzy, causing our response to not be completely accurate. Time can make the details unclear; and sometimes even when many are witnessing the same event, can be described completely different by each person at the scene. But Jesus never answered a question without being completely accurate!
Sometimes he answered a question with a question and often spoke in parables. He said eyes were clouded over so they could not see or understand truth. Unlike the “covers and costumes” we make for ourselves, hiding those things we don’t want others to see, Jesus taught only truth while he walked on this Earth. And he left His Word so we could continue to search and discover more about him.
We are beginning a New Year and there are so many events happening daily, which can be interpreted completely different depending on political views, desire to deliberately skew information, or desire for an alternate outcome. I encourage you to dig deep into His Word and uncover all the magnificent truths left for us to learn. It’s a treasure trove for anyone willing to search; and in these days and times, it’s truth we need!
photo credit: free nativity pictures
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