Knowing What Is True

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, [several women] went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened. Luke 24:1-11

Jesus’ followers had a hard time figuring out what was true on that first Easter morning. Where was Jesus’ body? Were the women telling the truth? Most important of all, was Jesus alive or dead? It took a while for the confusion to end!

New Americans have a similar problem. They know how things work in the countries they used to live in—but what about here? Can they trust what their English-speaking children tell them? What about the TV, or social media? Who is telling the truth, and who is just trying to take advantage of them?

As you care for your New American friends, you will obviously do your best to be trustworthy and truthful. But you can do more.  Encourage them to ask you questions if they need to. Be a safe person they can trust to explain how things work. Pray that God will protect them from liars and cheaters. And as God gives you opportunity, tell them the greatest truth of all—that God has come into this world as the man Jesus Christ, who laid down his life to save them out of love—and who rose from the dead to give them life forever.

Lord, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Help us to care for these people you have sent us, so that they may know you and trust in you.  Amen.

By Dr. Kari Vo