Truth in cultural bubbles

In the hours leading up to the crucifixion, the maid thought she operated in truth. So she confidently charged Peter: "Aren't you one of those who were with Him?"

The maid was operating in a cultural context -- let's call it her cultural bubble -- within which her actions were understood as right. Little did she know that, outside of that bubble, she was party to the crucifixion of the Christ.

The guards also thought they operated in truth. This was a Man condemned, so it was within their job description to abuse Him. But the rightness of their actions only made sense in their cultural bubble. Little did they know that, outside of that bubble, they were striking God Himself.

Even the Jewish elders thought they operated in truth. This troublesome carpenter claimed He was the Son of God. What more proof did they need? This was blasphemy and He must die! The elders' cultural bubble offered them all the proof they needed. Little did they know that their "proof" was only "right" in their bubble. Little did they know that their cultural bubble had itself gone profoundly off track.

And religious cultural bubbles are the most difficult to be delivered from.

Who was proven wrong? Well, Peter was proven wrong. Peter himself wanted to be in the cultural bubble that would keep him safe. And so he went along with the demands of the bubble: he denied he ever knew this Man. And he was proven sadly wrong. How?

Well, Jesus looked at him.

And Peter knew he was wrong. This was because Jesus had predicted to Peter that he would deny Him three times. And that is what happened.

When the Word of God comes true, then you know that is truth that does not come wrapped in any cultural bubbles.

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Luke 22.56-57 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said.

Luke 22.63 The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him.

Luke 22.66, 70-71 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them ... (70) They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You are right in saying I am." Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips."

Luke 22.61-62 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Matthew 5.18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Luke 21.22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.