Behind the Mask

"How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You are hypocrites! You close the door for people to enter the kingdom of heaven. You yourselves don't enter, and you stop others who are trying to enter.”

– Matthew 23:13

Ancient Greece produced some of the world’s greatest poets and philosophers. Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates were some of their best-known thinkers, and their influence is still felt in classrooms today. But as much as they enjoyed debating new ideas and novelties, the Greeks also loved show business. Their playwrights — much like today’s Hollywood screenwriters — produced numerous comedies, tragedies, and dramas that were performed before thousands in vast open-air theaters.

It's interesting to note that the actors of that day often played multiple roles on stage. And rather than relying on elaborate makeup or costumes, they instead wore masks that conveyed exaggerated expressions. That’s the origin of the familiar happy-and-sad masks icon that has for centuries symbolized the theatric arts. And it’s through the actors’ practice of changing masks according to the scene that we gained the term two-faced, meaning hypocritical.

Speaking of hypocrisy, let’s now fast-forward to the 21st century. There are millions of people around the world who are considering Christianity and the followers of Jesus. They want to know if these so-called people of The Word actually live out what’s preached in church on Sundays … or if they’re just phonies who live out a lie the other six days of the week.

It’s a valid question that every Christ-follower must ponder. Although none of us are perfect and we all fall short of God’s high standards, we should strive for our words, thoughts, and deeds to genuinely reflect those of our Savior. After all, the Good Shepherd knows every sheep in his flock. And he also knows which of them has a faith-driven attitude of gratitude.

It’s in the first chapter of John’s gospel that we read about Christ’s introduction to Nathanael, one of his original disciples:

“Now here is a true man of Israel.” Jesus proclaimed. “There is no deceit in him!”

Nathanael was stunned to hear these words because he’d never met or even seen Jesus. But as the God-Man who lived among his creation, Christ knew everything about his soon-to-be follower — just as intimately as he knows the thoughts, motives, and hearts of you and me today. 

It’s a needed reminder that we all wear masks of one sort or another. And just as with Nathanael, he too can see what’s behind ours.

In God We Trust

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

– Colossians 3:1–2

In God We Trust. 

For 160 years, American coins — and later paper currency — have displayed this familiar motto. According to the U.S. Treasury, a Pennsylvania minister in 1861 recommended to Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase that American coins should “recognize Almighty God in some form.” Chase agreed and instructed the director of the Philadelphia Mint to prepare an appropriate slogan: 

“No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense,” he wrote. “The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins.”

How ironic is it that “Godless” money should cite such an important reminder about the real source of our security? But if we’re honest with ourselves, perhaps the motto should read: In GOLD We Trust. After all, when life gets tough, it’s only natural to rely on our money, riches, and possessions rather than the One who makes it possible to earn a living in the first place.

But here’s an inconvenient truth: Our bank accounts are no defense against life’s hard realities. Illnesses strike, relationships fail, and that which seemed solid turns to dust in our hands. What we desperately need is something — or Someone — who embodies rock-solid certainty and trust.

It’s in Matthew’s gospel that Jesus tells us about a foolish man who built a house on shifting sands. When a storm struck, the rains came and the winds blew with fury. It’s no surprise that the flimsy structure collapsed with a crash. But in comparison a wise man built his house on a foundation of solid rock. So, when the storm clouds of life boiled on the horizon, that house withstood even the heaviest downpour.

This leads to an essential question: Are you counting on your uncertain finances to save you when the realities of life happen? If so, it’s time to renew your mind and trust in God: The One who not only made you, but knew everything about you before you were born. 

“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,” we read in Psalms, “who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.”

In God We Trust is more than a motto printed on money. It’s rock-solid truth that we can take to the bank.

The Jealous Type

You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

– James 4:2

Millions of Americans invest in their health by working out at the gym, eating organic food, and avoiding excess sugar and fat. Nevertheless, our nation has a heart condition. According to current data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, now claiming over 680,000 lives each year. That’s more than cancer.

But heart disease is more than a physical infirmity — it’s also a debilitating and deadly spiritual condition. One variant is jealousy, and the Bible records several well-known cases. The first occurs within the opening chapters of Genesis between brothers Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve. Cain was jealous that God preferred Abel’s offering over his own. And unable to control his bitterness and envy, he killed Abel, and then tried to mislead God about his crime. When his Creator asked about Abel’s whereabouts, the murderer responded, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” 

It’s later in Genesis that we find another instance of jealousy and deception. This time it involves Joseph, the son of Jacob — the patriarch of the nation of Israel. Jacob doted on Joseph, and the boy’s older brothers resented it. Joseph also didn’t win their affection by telling them about his symbolic dreams, which suggested that they would one day bow down to him. What’s more, Jacob had presented Joseph with a special coat of many colors, which signified his son's prominence in his heart. So, one day when Joseph had ventured into the fields, his brothers spied him from afar and conspired to kill him. But after a change of heart, they opted to sell him into slavery.

The brothers’ horrendous deed led to years of heartbreak and struggle for Joseph and Jacob alike. But God used the siblings' jealousy as a vehicle for good, and Joseph was blessed and protected while in captivity. Joseph also gained favor in the eyes of Egypt’s pharaoh — so much so that he eventually became the second-most powerful man in that nation. When a famine spread across the region, he even used his God-given wisdom to rescue millions of people from starvation — including his brothers and father. And yes, the brothers DID eventually bow down to Joseph, just as his dreams had predicted.

“You meant to do me harm, but God meant it for good,” Joseph explained, “so that it would come about as it is today, with many people’s lives being saved.”

Are you the jealous type? Rather than envying someone else’s accomplishments, possessions, or good fortune, the cure for jealousy — the so-called Green-Eyed Monster — is to adopt an attitude of gratitude for our own many blessings. With that in mind, let’s take the apostle Paul’s words from Romans 8:28 to heart:

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose". 

Making His Thoughts Our Own

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

– 2 Corinthians 10:5

Consider it our Book of Life — God’s words for us to live by. It’s through the Bible's pages that we learn our Creator not only loves us, but he’ll will do whatever it takes to have an everlasting relationship with us. Meanwhile, we also discover that God’s ways aren’t our ways. And his thoughts aren’t our own.

That’s quite an understatement. For example, the world teaches us to defeat the competition, climb the corporate ladder, and keep up with the neighbors (and then pass them by). We must have the biggest, the best, and the shiniest. And we also need to have the right smartphone and drive the right car. After all (we think), life is all about us.

There’s little room for humility with that attitude. But God invites Christ-followers to see things from his perspective: To be first, we must be last. Of course, this viewpoint turns things totally inside out. And that’s just the point.

How much better would this world be if we adopted a servant’s attitude and put the interests of others before our own? Jesus answered this question by example. First, he willingly surrendered his advantages as God’s Son. He entered the world amidst humble circumstances — a birth among farm animals in a lowly stable. When he grew older, he made a working-man’s living as a carpenter. And he could have lived in splendor as the King of Kings. But instead, Christ chose a nomadic existence to teach God’s Good News of salvation to his people. 

Humble circumstances, indeed. But Jesus’ ultimate act of humility was to suffer the fate of a common criminal — one that he didn’t deserve because of his perfect, fault-free life. His was a horrific death on a cross to pay for the countless ways we’ve all failed to live up to God’s standards.

How can we acquire this remarkable servant-leader attitude? Above all, we must embrace our blessings by recognizing the wonderful things God has done for us — and continues to do for us every day. Without him, we are nothing. But through him, all things are possible.

Imitating Jesus to make God’s thoughts and ways our own will never be society’s formula for success. But when we turn our backs to the world and follow The Way, we’ll see that it’s through humility — not ambition — that both we and the world change for the better. 

Gospel Truth

The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

– Proverbs 12:22

“With lies you may go ahead in the world,” says a Russian proverb, “but you can never go back.” 

It’s a reminder that credibility and character matter. And that seems to be the public’s message to the news media following several high-profile scandals.

In 2015 Brian Williams lost his job as anchor of NBC Nightly News after he fabricated reports related to the Iraq War and Hurricane Katrina. New York Times reporter Jayson Blair resigned in 2003 after he plagiarized and made up portions of his stories. And in 2004, USA Today’s Pulitzer-nominated correspondent Jack Kelley quit after he was accused of concocting source material and writing articles that were largely fiction. 

The damage has added up. A 2024 Gallup poll reveals that for the third consecutive year, more U.S. adults have no trust at all in the media (36%) than trust it a great deal or fair amount. What’s more, another 33% of Americans express “not very much” confidence in the media.

Once we’ve lost our credibility through lies, deception, and betrayal, how can we ever retrieve it? That’s the question King Solomon seems to convey through Proverbs 11:3: 

“People who can’t be trusted are destroyed by their own dishonesty.”

There are several ways we can hurt ourselves and others through our dishonest words and deeds. For example, flattery is a form of lying since it tells people what they want to hear — regardless of its veracity. We can also be dishonest through exaggeration. Likewise, cheating (or fudging the truth so we come out on top) is a particularly serious issue since it can impact personal and business relationships. What’s more, we also lie when we break our promises. Jesus touched on this in Mattew’s gospel by warning his followers to avoid the common practice of using God’s name to lend credibility to their words.

Dishonesty is like a heavy chain that weighs us down and holds us back. But the truth — and the clear conscience that accompanies it — is liberating. Of course, walking the walk after talking the talk can be hard. And conveying honesty and integrity can even cost you something in certain situations. As Christ-followers, however, we must always reflect the words and deeds of our Creator, who’s always faithful and dependable: 

“God is not a man, so He doesn’t lie,” we read in Numbers 23:19. “He’s not human, so he doesn’t change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?”

That’s what’s said about Him. So, what do our words and deeds say about us?

Crossing the Finish Line

Think of what he went through; how he put up with so much hatred from sinners! So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up.

– Hebrews 12:3

It's one of the most remarkable scenes in Olympics history.   

The year was 1992, and 65,000 cheering fans packed the stadium in Barcelona, Spain, for the men's 400-meter race. This was Derek Redmond's second attempt for a medal. Four years earlier at the Seoul, South Korea, games, an Achilles tendon injury had forced him to drop out just minutes before the contest.

The race started well this time, with Derek — the British record holder — quickly taking the lead. But only 175 meters from the finish line, his right hamstring gave way. Derek began to hop and then slowed down before finally collapsing to the track. Medical personnel rushed to his aid to remove him on a stretcher. But with tears in his eyes, Derek refused to let his dream die.

"No," Derek told them. "I'm going to finish my race."

The injured athlete slowly rose from the track and hobbled in pain toward his goal. Jim Redmond, Derek's father, began pushing his way through the crowded stands as soon as he saw his son pull up lame.

"That's my son," the elder Redmond yelled to the bewildered security guards. "And I'm going to help him."

With 65,000 fans giving the pair a tremendous standing ovation, Jim Redmond did just that. He helped his son — painful step by painful step — round the track and cross the finish line.

Is it hard to relate to this story? When it comes to our faith-journey, we, too, can’t do it alone. Jesus told his early followers to expect obstacles and opposition. What’s more, he warned that following the crowd and taking the easy route leads to guaranteed disaster:

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it," Jesus says. "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Jesus is that small gate. And there's no other way to victory over pain, sorrow, and death except by placing our faith on him alone. So, wherever you are along your faith-journey, ask God to help you cross the finish line to victory. The reward will be far greater than a gold-plated medal and a standing ovation.

The Rest of the Story

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

– 2 Corinthians 12:10

Paul Harvey’s remarkable career in radio spanned eight decades and began while he was still in high school. His broadcasts were heard on about 1,500 stations and his commentaries appeared in hundreds of newspapers. No doubt he was best known for a segment of his program called The Rest of the Story: a five-minute, true-life narrative that always concluded with a surprising — and often uplifting — twist revealing greater meaning and purpose in an otherwise mundane or difficult situation.

The Rest of the Story maintained its popularity over the years because it always resonated with Harvey’s millions of listeners. They readily identified with the famous announcer’s depictions of the unpleasant realities and struggles faced by the common man (and woman).  

What unpleasant realities have you had to face?  Whatever they are, it’s a fact of life that you can count on enduring more. Sometimes they come out of the blue, like an auto accident or a natural disaster. And others might be more of our own making, like an arrest for drunk driving or the agony of a broken marriage. The difference for Christ-followers, however, is that we have access to a loving Father who’s here to help us get through the hardest of times. We worship a caring God who gives us both faith and hope. 

God also specializes in taking the worst situations and turning them toward good. For example, the first Christ-followers were stalked, arrested, and sometimes executed for worshipping Jesus. But this only caused the new, upstart faith to spread far and wide from Jerusalem and into Asia and Europe. And what can we learn from the apostle Paul’s life story? Although he spread the Gospel across the Mediterranean and made many converts, he spent years in jail before his eventual execution. And that might sound like wasted potential. Couldn’t God have kept Paul free so he could preach to thousands more and establish other churches in distant lands?

Yes, God could have done that. But he had a much better plan for advancing the name of Jesus. While Paul was in shackles, the so-called Apostle to the Gentiles spent his time writing much of what we know today as the New Testament — words of truth that over the centuries have helped lead millions of men and women away from their destructive lifestyles and over to abundant lives and eternal life. And it’s all because ours is a God who already knows The Rest of the Story.