We are so much more complicated in our dealings with each other, aren’t we? We hide our true thoughts and feelings not to offend, or start an argument, or interfere. We tell others their ways or words are fine, that we understand or even agree, when actually we are upset over what just happened, and we can’t fathom why someone says those things or acts that way. We camouflage our reactions, and others draw the wrong conclusions based upon them. This kind of hidden misunderstanding then extends the problem. When we deceive each other, we can’t advance in our relationships. We play ring around the rosy with each other in an effort to be “nice”. Relationships can’t grow and mature based upon deception. Only honesty provides the good ground for the seeds of loyalty and trust to take root.
Jesus understood this well. His words and presentation in the Gospels are direct and clear, and they match. He doesn’t say one thing and think or do another, nor does He say one thing to one person and change His tune when talking to another. Jesus embodies an integrity when He relates to others, whether that person is Pilate, a temple official, a tax collector, an adulterer, or a poor blind man. Because of this quality to His relationships, others recognize that Jesus truly loves them and they in turn can love Him. Trust allows love to flourish. Sometimes Jesus’ directness puts others off, as when Peter tried to stop Him from speaking about the suffering of the Son of Man, or when the rich man departed after Jesus told him what he had to do to be perfect. However, even in these challenging situations, Jesus never closes the door to those who want to stay connected. Peter is welcomed back after he denies Him. We don’t know what the rich man did.
So let’s think twice before we twist our words to say what we don’t mean, or go along with other’s actions to keep peace. Those are quick fixes containing long term break downs in the future. What may seem easy now creates hard feelings in the end. Our relationships are kept fresh and growing when they are straight-forward and honest, when they deal with issues as they arise, and when the parties involved want each other to know the truth about themselves. Truthfulness is the rock on which God builds His Kingdom in our midst. Without it, we sink into a swamp of lies and deceit which drown any hope for us to trust each other.
Baxter is easy to understand and deal with because, like Nathaniel, there is no guile in him. Let’s make it easier to understand and deal with each other by straight talk and actions between us. That is the only way we can hear and see Jesus in our midst.
