"Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." - Thomas Jefferson
"Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters, cannot be trusted with important matters." - Albert Einstein
"Honesty is often very hard. The truth is often painful. But the freedom it can bring is worth the trying." - Fred Rogers
"Always tell the truth. That way you don't have to remember what you said." - Will Rogers
"Being honest may not get you a lot of friends, but it will get you the right ones." - John Lennon (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Watching The Wheels" (John Lennon), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" (John Lennon and Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir))
We are hearing much about today's topic in many headlines. Let's face it honesty and the absolute truth are becoming harder and harder to come by. Everywhere we turn around, we find ourselves hearing tales that we question. Even in the "trusted" media of the nightly news. It is a rare occasion that you should believe very much of what you read or hear on social media. Wouldn't it be simpler if everyone were just honest?
Every conversation seems to have three sides; one each of opposing sides of the given issue, and then somewhere in the deep recesses of the middle lies THE truth. It is sometimes very difficult to suss out the truth but as Mr. Rogers put it above, "...the freedom it (the truth) can bring is worth the trying." Let's face it. In the world of 2023, all I want is someone to believe...
Billy Joel (https://tuesdaysmusicalnotes.
In 2008 Beyonce covered the song and it was later included in her third studio album, I Am...Sasha Fierce.
Lyrically complex, "Honesty", belays a touch of cynicism as it tells the story of the search for a true love that is well...honest and true. The search goes through the difficulties that all relationships experience, with a focus on the desire to find honest romance. Resisting the urge to listen to those who tell him what he wants to hear further adds to the convoluted search which ultimately results in the fact that at some point or another, everyone has a proclivity to mislead and hedge on the truth, even in our attempts to be good, we sadly fail often.
Imagine how our world would change if honesty were the policy that enveloped us together and bonded us in unity. History, however, shows us that even in a unified utopia honesty is such a lonely word...
After Peter and John's arrest and subsequent release, believers in Jerusalem began sharing resources with anyone who had need. They did this to such an extent that none of those in their community were completely satisfied. This allowed the apostles to preach and encourage others to repent, be baptized, and join with those who followed Jesus. The addition of more people encouraged even more giving to the group with folks selling land and giving the proceeds to the growing community of believers to ensure that no one had a need of any kind.
This passage also helps to introduce us to the future apostle and mission companion to Paul, Barnabas. He is described as a Jew from Cyprus whose name means son of encouragement. Wow, how would you like to have that moniker your whole life? That's a pretty big name to live up to!!! Barnabas is one of those who sold land and donated the proceeds to see the Gospel promoted and make sure that its adherents had no needs. It seems that Barnabas begins a trend as others followed in a similar practice. However, as happens so many times, as we proceed in the narrative, we see a kink in the honesty pathway that causes some of the first distress we see in the new movement.
A man named Ananias decides to get in on the good vibes of giving. He walks in and places "all" of his proceeds from his sale of land at the feet of the apostles. "...everyone is so untrue..." Through Holy Spirit's power, Peter knows what is going on and calls Ananias out on his deceit. "...honesty is hardly ever heard..." As with all decisions, good or bad, consequences result. Yes, Ananias had sold a property, and yes he was giving proceeds from that sale to the first Jesus Movement. But there's more here than meets the eye. "...But if you look for truthfulness, You might just as well be blind. It always seems to be so hard to give..."
You see, Ananias and his wife Sapphira conspired together to keep some of the proceeds. Yet, Ananias, it seems portrayed the gift as a full portion of the proceeds. Peter rebukes him and says that it wasn't a sin for him to have property, nor was it any matter to the apostles what he did with his property, but to attempt to mislead everyone into thinking that he was doing as Barnabas and others had done was the height of deceit and sinful. The consequence of Ananias' sin? He dropped dead after Peter had finished admonishing him. As one would imagine, this caused great distress among the believers. Luke tells us that young men collected Ananias' body, carried him out of the presence of the apostles, and buried him. "...But I don't want some pretty face to tell me pretty lies. All I want is someone to believe..."
After 3 hours had elapsed, Sapphira came looking for Ananias. When she approached Peter, he allowed her to come clean about the property proceeds deception. Not knowing of Ananias' demise, she repeated the conspired tale suggesting that the property had been sold for a specific price. Peter again calls out the lie and tells Sapphira that she will suffer the same fate as Ananias. She immediately collapses and those who had carried and buried Ananias repeat the process. This solidifies a healthy "fear of the Lord" among the early believers which also spilled over into the community as they heard about Ananais' and Sapphira's fate. "...I can have security until the bitter end. Anyone can comfort me with promises again..."
What happens next? The apostles continue preaching the Gospel of Jesus, accompanied by what Luke describes as "signs and wonders". It seems that the religious rulers wanted no association with the new sect and distanced themselves. This distancing seemed to have an opposite effect from what was desired as the common folks held the apostles and disciples of Jesus in high esteem. This admiration poured over into belief as Luke details that increasing numbers were accepting the Gospel of Jesus. The excitement grew to the point that they were bringing out the sick and suffering for healing, some being healed by falling into Peter's shadow. Luke says that folks from cities around Jerusalem heard about what was going on and flocked to the city with their sick and afflicted so they might be healed as well. Luke affirms the fact as he closes this section of today's passage by simply stating that "...they were all being healed." "...But when I want sincerity tell me where else can I turn. 'Cause you're the one I depend upon..."
So friend, how's your honesty quotient? Followers of Jesus are not perfect and I confess that throughout my life, my honesty quotient is not the number I would hope it would be. Don't get me wrong, I think of myself as a pretty honest, straight-up guy. But, we have to remember to whom we are comparing.
The Gospel of Jesus is our measuring stick. Jesus' perfection is our goal. Sometimes as we read the account of His life, we see Jesus being brutally honest to the benefit of His followers. Yes, compassion must play a factor in our interactions with others, yet, we must never be so concerned over their feelings, or hurt feelings, that we betray truthfulness and honesty. This can have consequences as well. "...Honesty is such a lonely word..." but as the Piano Man describes, "...and mostly what I need from you..."
'Til Tuesday,
Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
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