October 17, 2023
There’s No Use In Answering
“Jesus answered him, ‘I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.’ When He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, ‘Is that the way You answer the high priest?’” John 18:20-22 (NASB)
Years ago, I sat in traffic court for a man ticketed for reckless driving. He decided he wanted to fight the ticket. When court began, he brought out a professional-grade depiction of the roadway. When the judge asked me if the road was a correct depiction, I told him yes. I said that it was not where I spotted the defendant driving recklessly though. Suddenly, the man got up and called me a liar. It didn’t bother me. He went over to my side of the courtroom and began hollering. I kept my composure. I told the judge this was the same behavior I received at the roadside. Long story, short; he was found guilty and escorted out of the courtroom by bailiffs. The judge told him if he said anything else he would place him in contempt of court and jail him. I think he figured if he had a good show, he would win the case. The high court was a fanciful show too, but they sought something much more serious ... to send Jesus to His death.
“I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.” Jesus didn’t respond with quips of rebellion against the court. He was pressing the court to allow a fair trial. Even though the arrest was made in darkness (physical nighttime darkness and the darkness of their hearts) Jesus knew He would not escape His execution. He was only speaking truths He shared in the presence of thousands before. It was the open proclamation of the Kingdom of God. “Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.” In the thousands who heard His voice in the past, surely there was someone who could testify. There were two in their presence at the time, Peter and John. “On the other side of Jesus, Simon Peter was proving to be an unreliable witness. He already denied Jesus once. Though Jesus claimed ‘those who heard me’ could be questioned and could be expected to supply truthful answers, at that very moment Peter was supplying false testimony. He therefore contradicted the nature of his Master’s life and message.”[1] Secondly, the truths Jesus shared with the court would not change the course of events. Even if those who heard Jesus in the past, were unwilling to hear. The court hearing was only designed to bring maximum destruction. As they allegedly sought truth, they were committed to falsehood. “When He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, ‘Is that the way You answer the high priest?’” As Jesus responded, an officer struck Him with his palm (KJV translation). Isaiah 50:6 foretold, “I gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting.” Paul too received the same treatment from his captors in Acts 23:2, “The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth.”
If that man in court could have slapped me, I bet he would have. It wouldn’t change the fact I still told the truth that day just as Jesus did. He shared THE TRUTH- God’s Word!
[1] Dongell, J. (1997). John: a Bible commentary in the Wesleyan tradition (p. 216). Wesleyan Publishing House.