PURSUE TRUTH

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” -- John 8:32 NLT

WARM-UP

No matter the level of competition, every athlete is pursuing something. It might be simply having fun or something as serious as earning a scholarship, winning a championship, or landing a big contract. As the stakes rise, the drive behind that pursuit intensifies and brings athletes closer to the prize.

WORKOUT

Parallel Paths

Stories of pursuit can be found all throughout the Bible. In the New Testament, we find two men on parallel paths whose encounters with Jesus sent them in opposite directions. 

In Luke 19:1-10, we read about a man named Zacchaeus, a tax collector who cheated the people in Jericho and became very wealthy. At that time, Jesus had gained a reputation as a great teacher and miracle worker. Zacchaeus had to catch a glimpse of Jesus, but his short stature made it difficult for him to see over the crowd. So he climbed into a tree and waited for Jesus to walk past.

When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. ‘Zacchaeus!’ he said. ‘Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.’ Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. ‘He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,’ they grumbled.

Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!’ Jesus responded, ‘Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost’ (Luke 19:6-10).

Just like Zacchaeus, sometimes we need to be willing to pursue truth and then respond accordingly. But then, in Mark 10:17-27, we see a similar encounter that produced a different result when a man often referred to as the Rich Young Ruler approached Jesus and asked this question:

“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (v. 17b)

Jesus then told him to obey God’s commandments to which the Rich Young Ruler responded that he had done all of those things. But the next words from Jesus were much more difficult to hear.

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. ‘There is still one thing you haven’t done,’ he told him. ‘Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions (Mark 10:21-21).

Both men were pursuing wealth and material success. Both men were pursuing truth. Both men received the same answer, yet each man-made very different decisions. 

Zacchaeus pursued truth and found a new path to fulfillment. His wealth no longer mattered in light of the treasure Jesus had offered. The Rich Young Ruler likewise pursued truth but went home disappointed, unwilling to change course, and unwilling to give up his material things.

Q: Why do you think the Rich Young Ruler was unwilling to listen to Jesus?

Q: Are you more like Zaccheaus or more like the Rich Young Ruler? Why?

WRAP-UP

Q: What athletic pursuit is most important to you right now? 

Q: Do you have any pursuits that God has laid on your heart? If so, how do they compare to your athletic pursuits?