“Fake News” is a phrase that Donald Trump coined about the media’s ability to control the narrative. But the concept has been in existence long before Donald Trump ran for office.
Simply put, fake news is a manipulation of the facts of an event with the purpose to deceive. It’s telling you not just the news but what to believe about the news. In essence it’s a down right lie.
Let’s look at the resurrection of Christ. The Bible tells us in Matthew 28:1-4 “1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week,a Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
2Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.”
So then, the stone was rolled away, the Lord rose from the dead just as it was prophesied and just as He said would happen. Now the cheif priests and the elders have a situation. They surely can’t have the people believing he was indeed The Christ. What to do? Spin the narrative! So here’s what they did.
11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.”
Note the eternal implications. If you believe that the resurrection actually did happen you would most likely become a Christian or “believer.” If you believe the narrative put fourth by the elders you will die in your sins.
Although the fake news of today doesn’t usually carry eternal implications, it is meant to deceive. However, if we rely on the gift of God’s Holy Spirit we’ll see right through it and will not become deceived.
“Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” Is 53:1
I thank God that I do not believe the “fake news” about resurrection Sunday. And you shouldn’t either! The Word of God is my ultimate source of “good news.” If you haven’t, won’t you make it your source too? Glory to God he has risen! O’ what a happy Ester it is!!