Tell It Like You See It

by Brenda Black
Published February 14, 2009

Two blind-folded men gave an account of an object they simultaneously encountered. The first said it took both his arms to measure the circumference of the mysterious, rigid cylinder. He surmised the object was a tree. The second heartily disagreed and related his estimations. He told the other he couldn't be more inaccurate as he described a thin, spindly object, short and smooth and light in weight. He knew it was a length of rope. When the blind folds were stripped away, each laughed at their discovery. One stood near the front leg and the other at the tail of one elephant.

Each man's observation was accurate although completely opposite. Their subjective opinions proved as close to the truth as each could honestly get. The same holds true with memories. What one remembers, another will forget or have an entirely different version. It's what makes life interesting at family reunions.

My brother shared some recollections on the phone recently. I was ashamed to admit that many of the little stories he related I had totally forgotten. What was burned into his history only fizzled in mine. I'm sure some of my childhood memories are just as dim in his reflections. Who knows what it is that triggers vivid pictures in our minds and determines what is worth pondering years down the road. Who can understand what we selectively call to the front and what we suppress in the back of the human mind.

The need for multiple accounts of the Gospel may be due to each witness' personality as well as the divine intention which changes the amount of detail, the timing, the emotions and perception of mutual experiences with the Christ. Mull over the words of Mark and you'll find parables and portrayals that delineate Christ as the humble but perfect Servant of Jehovah. The book of Matthew is designed particularly for the Jew, whereas Mark's focus is Christian workers. Matthew introduces a King, Mark describes his lowliness and meekness. Look at Luke. His words are precise and detailed. He was a doctor. And his appeal is to the entire human race. Journey through the writings of John and you get acquainted with the one and only Son of God. Every testimony matters. We glean new angles and better understanding by listening to the experience of more than one man. The same holds true today, whether coupling childhood memories to piece together the whole picture or combining the wisdom of one believer with the knowledge of another to grasp greater understanding of God's Word. Two opinions,even if opposite, can teach us something more. Remove the blind fold and see for yourself after all the information is offered and accept only what is truth with your eyes wide open. Look directly at the big elephant staring you in the face and acknowledge that it is varied and unusually assembled, but is still one pachyderm.

The Holy Bible is a book of books. It is law and it is grace. It is rules and it is freedom. It is miracles and it is straight forward facts. The Scripture is an elephant's enormous leg with big, solid principles. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. His mercies are new every morning. He loves sinners, but hates the evil they embrace. And it is a wispy tail that brings us joy at the ironies that lie therein. The weak shall be strong; the meek inherit the earth. The first shall be last and the end is a new beginning.

God doesn't change - that's an elephant leg. The Bible speaks to the heart of every man - there's your tail. It is a book of complexity and simplicity, that both convicts and encourages. The Word is living and active, yet never changes.

Though it calls us to think in abstract ways about things eternal and places not seen, it is concrete in its purpose. The Word is the history of the One and only Savior of the World. Take off the blind fold and see for yourself. With every encounter, you'll gather a host of experiences you'll long remember and want to tell. His story is your history when you accept Jesus as Lord.

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