What goes through your mind when you read about the fake news story in the Bible? This might be a good time to turn in your Bible to Matthew 28:11-15 and read it for yourself. I will wait before I go further with this reflection. You do need to read it first.
What are the hallmarks of fake news? According to this passage, the point is to devise a story to cover-up something. It is to set-forth an alternate account of what really took place as a distraction. Powerful and influential people are involved. It includes witness tampering and bribery. It indicates an inconvenient truth is the first casualty of pride.
In our day, fake news is also used as a smear against a known truth. It is designed to provide alternate talking points as a smokescreen to change the subject. It can become the ultimate he said, she said, adeadlock of ideas. The goal is to provide a plausible denial of reality.
Why is this story even in the Bible at all? Because the fake news story was still being talked about when the gospel of Matthew was being written, some thirty or so years after Jesus. It was written as a warning to us all. It shows us the way to counter the fake story: seek out verifiable facts, eyewitness accounts, and those directly impacted by the results of the account. Fake news is a lie, a coverup, and a distraction. It is an effective form of gossip. It is a kind of dishonesty many of us have resorted to.
Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Seek truth. And let’s experience the love and power of God together.
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