John 18

In each trial we face, Jesus reveals the truth of what lies in our hearts, and He invites us to cling to the truth of His merciful love.

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: 'Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.'" (1)

Hearts Exposed

The heart of Judas rejected
The Truth, confronting Him at night;
The Innocent was arrested,
As darkness overtook the light.

The heart of Peter had decried
The loving truth of sacrifice;
He fought against and then denied
He knew the Truth, not once, but thrice.

The heart of Pilate questioned Truth;
His judgement, blind with fear and doubt,
Was led astray by hearts uncouth -
He took the easiest way out.

The heart of John embraced the Truth
From condemnation to the cross
With innocence kept from his youth,
In his heart, Truth suffered no loss.

In light of Truth, the heart's revealed
With its unique identity;
In the darkness, when Truth's repealed,
Hearts disfigure with enmity.

In light of Truth, hearts are exposed;
The Truth can never be deposed.


May the Spirit of Truth draw us continuously into the light with an ever-deepening humility.

1. Ephesians 5:8-14


(c) Paul Buis, 2005