dun ta dun dun…
If you’re close to my age you remember the theme music for Dragnet.
Since it’s almost Friday, it seems a good time to remind you of those famous words spoken by Sgt. Joe Friday on every episode of Dragnet, you know the ones, “the facts ma’am, just the facts”.
But there’s a difference between the facts and the truth. Have you ever thought about that?
Wanting to know the truth, we should never settle for just the facts.
The facts according to Jewish law said that a woman caught in adultery should be stoned to death. However, the truth was Jesus was moved with compassion, he stopped her accusers, her life was spared, and she was forgiven.
The facts according to Jewish law said that a leper was declared unclean and couldn’t be in close proximity to the general population. The facts stated that a woman who had menstrual bleeding was not allowed in public.
But the truth was that Jesus came to heal the sick and so he touched the leper and healed the woman with the issue of blood.
“Suddenly a man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus. He said, ‘Lord, you have the power to make me well, if only you wanted to.’ 3 Jesus put his hand on the man and said, ‘I want to! Now you are well.’ At once the man’s leprosy disappeared.” Matthew 8:2-3 CEV
“The woman had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him in the crowd and barely touched his clothes. 28 She had said to herself, ‘If I can just touch his clothes, I will be healed.’ 29 As soon as she touched them, her bleeding stopped, and she knew she was healed…The woman knew what had happened to her. So she came trembling with fear and knelt down in front of Jesus. Then she told him the whole story. 34 Jesus said to the woman, ‘You are now well because of your faith. May God give you peace! You are healed, and you will no longer be in pain.’” Mark 5:27-29,33-34 CEV
Jesus by-passed the facts and focused on the truth. The leper needed a touch and Jesus reached out to him. The woman had exhausted all her finances seeking a cure – she needed peace, she needed healing. Jesus didn’t condemn her with the facts but was moved by compassion and healed her.
What facts could be holding you back?
Compare them with the truth of God’s word and see how God’s truth will overcome the facts of your situation.
“Lord, help me learn your ways. Show me how you want me to live. 5 Guide me and teach me your truths. You are my God, my Savior. You are the one I have been waiting for. 6 Remember to be kind to me, Lord. Show me the tender love that you have always had.” Psalm 25:4-6 ERV
The facts without compassion can be condemning but wrapping the facts in God’s compassion brings peace, healing, kindness and forgiveness.