Gospel

Truth in the Trial

by Roland Crim
12/30/16
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Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded. “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.” John 18:19-24 NIV

The actions of the Jewish leaders contradicted themselves. More than once they told Jesus that if He testified on His own behalf, it meant nothing. Yet, here they question Him seeking anything in order to put Him to death. These people were very two faced. They altered ideas to accomplish what they desired.

Jesus did speak openly to the world. He came to share the message of the Heavenly Father. The Father wants us to know of His love for us. He wants us to know that He has a perfect plan for our salvation, and that it comes through His only begotten Son. Jesus taught in a manner such that those who were meant to hear would hear and grasp His teachings. Jesus knew how to accomplish the Father’s will.

Jesus did not outright defend Himself here. He did tell the truth as to where He taught. He did not hide His teachings, though He did mask the true meaning of them often to unbelievers through the use of parables and figures of speech. In a court of law someone being tried has the right to have someone to defend him. Jesus was not given this right. Self-incrimination is not sought today in a court of law, yet the Jewish leaders were looking for incriminating words from the mouth of the Lord.

Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen in this “trial”. He knew each question that would be asked, and each action that would be taken. The one thing that Jesus did was only tell the truth. This is because that is exactly what Jesus is, truth. He is the truth sent to us by the Heavenly Father.

I would venture to say we all lie or stretch the truth at times for our well-being. But Jesus always revealed the truth in what He said. We can count on our Lord to always be there for us, full of truth, the truth which we need for an abundant and blessed life. Thank you for the truth you bring to us Lord!