The Courage to Speak the Truth: Lessons from Peter and Watergate

“The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over to be killed and you disowned Him before Pilate, though he had decided to let Him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised Him from the dead.”

Acts 3:13-15

Dear Friends,

The Courage to Speak the Truth

Sometimes it’s hard to speak the truth – especially when antagonists try to silence it. Yet despite the threat of difficult repercussions, those with courage to speak the truth press on. That’s exactly what Peter and John did after the healing of the lame man.

A Modern Example: Watergate and Katharine Graham

Uncovering truth is often opposed in our own time as well. Recently I’ve been reading an intriguing book about Katharine Meyer Graham, the owner and publisher of The Washington Post during the Watergate scandal. Her newspaper played a crucial role in uncovering and reporting the truth during that turbulent season in American history. Both the paper and Katharine herself paid a price as high-powered political leaders attempted to shut the publication down. But eventually the truth came to light, leading to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.

A Childhood Memory of Truth Revealed

I clearly remember that day when the president finally addressed the nation. My family was vacationing at a campground in southern New Jersey, and we gathered with other guests in the welcome center to watch the speech on a large TV mounted on the wall. I didn’t understand the details then, but I sensed its importance. Only later did I grasp how truth changed everything.

Peter’s Message to the Crowds

Peter and John also chose to speak the truth. As they continued toward the temple, followed closely by the exuberant man who had just been healed of lifelong paralysis, they took the opportunity to address the astonished crowd.

The Source of True Power

“Fellow Israelites,” Peter began, “don’t be surprised by this miracle. We did not heal this man by our own power.” He then pointed clearly to the source of that power.

Connecting the moment to the God of their fathers – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – Peter explained that Jesus, God’s Son, was the promised Messiah and the true source of the healing they had witnessed. Then, with remarkable boldness, he reminded them of their role in Jesus’ death:

When Truth Confronts the Heart

“You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised Him from the dead.”

What courage it took to speak such scathing, but truthful, words! How unsettling it must have been for them to realize they had participated in the death of the Author of Life.

But once again, truth changed everything.

Peter acknowledged that they and their leaders had acted in ignorance. Yet God used even their ignorance to fulfill His eternal purpose. Then Peter urged them to repent and turn to God so their sins would be forgiven, and so that “times of refreshing” would come.

Opposition to the Gospel

And as always, the truth did not go unopposed. The religious leaders were deeply offended by Peter and John’s teaching – especially their proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection. They arrested the apostles and threw them into jail while they debated what to do with them. And despite the persecution, many who heard the message believed, repented, and joined the growing number of followers of the truth.

Why Truth Still Matters Today

It still takes courage to speak the truth today. Many people would rather deny reality, cover it up, or cling to comfortable lies. But responding rightly to the truth is the only path to peace with God. We are sinners; yet there is forgiveness. And that truth changes everything.

Love,

Mama

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