You’re kidding? Two words in my word arsenal that I use a lot. Typically for something that really is unbelievable. Something just too difficult to believe is true. My Mom uses this phrase too. I’ve heard it many times from her throughout my life.

I believe I used this phrase two times yesterday alone and each was in relation to my grandchildren. One has croup again and another was off to the emergency room with a possible broken elbow. Oh, I know children get hurt and get sick, but it seems like this school year has been nothing but sickness for these young ones. I guess I’ve blocked that part out of my memory in regard to my own children.

While we may hear of unbelievable events or unbelievable things that happen in our lives, there is one thing we can depend on and know that it is true. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit breath truth into our unbelievable world. While Jesus was on earth, His words were truth. The Bible speaks God’s truth. Our hearts are filled with the truth of the Holy Spirit.

But today, let’s take a look at Jesus words and see what truths He spoke to mankind.

Perhaps you recognize these words. “Verily I say unto you.” This is the King James Version language for “I tell you the truth” or “You can believe what I say.” If you are around my age, these might have been the words you memorized in relation to some of Jesus’ words. But if we look at these same passages in the New International Version, Jesus’ words are translated “I tell you the truth.”

That makes a lot more sense to me.

So let’s look at some of Jesus’ truthful statements and see what He has to offer us today.

In the Book of Matthew, Jesus is recorded saying “I tell you the truth” 29 times.

In the Book of Mark, “I tell you the truth” is recorded 13 times.

Luke uses these words 8 times.

And John records “I tell you the truth” 25 times.

We can only believe that Jesus told the truth by the number of times He assured those listening as He spoke 2,000 years ago and He tells us today. We can believe what Jesus said. We can hold Him to His word.

When Jesus met with Nicodemus in John 3, Jesus used this phrase three times during the conversation. Take a look at what Jesus truthfully told Nicodemus.

“I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3 – NIV)

“I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5 – NIV)

“I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.” (John 3:11 – NIV)

Jesus clearly told Nicodemus and He tells us how to enter God’s kingdom. But He also tells us that there will be those who will not accept this as truth. The only way to enter God’s kingdom is to be born again of water and the Spirit.

In John 8:58 (NIV), Jesus declares Himself to be God by using God’s own words. “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!”

Do you recall God’s words? In Exodus 3:14, God told Abraham to tell the people that “I am” sent him. The people hearing Jesus in that moment knew exactly what He was saying. He was God. And if Jesus said it, we can believe it.

And then during the last night with His disciples, Jesus spoke yet more truths to this group of men. He truthfully told them that He would be betrayed and denied. And we know that these events occurred.

But Jesus also made a statement to encourage these men. In John 13:20 (NIV), Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I sent accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”

You see, the disciples would go on without Jesus in their midst and they would continue to teach and preach His truths to others. And in the process, others would believe. He assured them of that. Through the Holy Spirit, these men would become great leaders of the early church and the Gospel would spread throughout the known world.

I believe something else we can understand from this is that it is a whole package deal. We cannot just believe bits and pieces of God’s message. We must believe and accept it all. We must accept it completely as truth. God’s truth.

Perhaps there were some in Jesus’ day after hearing His message said, “You’re kidding?” But Jesus never told an untruth. His words were filled to the top and overflowed with truth. You can believe it.

I don’t know what might happen today, but it’s quite possible that I will use the phrase, “You’re kidding?” today. But what I do know is that I can hold onto God’s Word, Jesus’ message, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance as my truth. They will continue to lead me throughout my day in their truth, just as they have done for years.

I pray that your day is filled with love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna