When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?”
John 18:22 (ESV)
As I was reading through the Gospel of John chapter 18 this morning for my devotional, I became intrigued with this interaction of the High Priest officers with Jesus. On this side of the cross it is quite a shocking statement to read that a man, any man, would actually strike Jesus for something he said. Here is the one and only Son of God standing before the High Priest, the representative of the whole of the priesthood and Jewish religion, being questioned directly about his statements and teachings. The very ones who are tasked with ensuring that the worship of God is performed in a correct manner and the law of God is taught to the people. These are the ones who are questioning the bodily fulfillment of all that they represent and protect. Here is the man they have been hoping and waiting for these many long years. And when it finally comes to the critical point, there is only hatred and disbelief. This officer, whose duty it was to protect the High Priest and defend his office and role, struck Jesus for what he perceived as disrespectful talk to their leader. The One they were worshipping was standing before them, and they took offense at him and struck him.
It is a shocking moment summarized in a short sentence. My first thought on reading it this morning was to be offended for Jesus and rightly so. Yet, there is something deeper there within me. I too wanted to strike this man in response for what he did. I too want to defend the name of Jesus and there is even a contemplation that it is ok to strike out in response. I too am like this officer and want to defend the honor of my Master. I too want to take offense at the mistreatment of my Master and all he represents. This is not the response of Jesus. Jesus received the strike and did not retaliate. He did not spew out a self-righteous defensive argument. No, his response was spoken in humility and patience. Always teaching. Always pointing to God.
I think now about the time we live in and the level of hatred that exists in our fallen world. There is so much hatred and mistrust. There is always someone taking offense and seeking to respond in a self-righteous defensive way. This is the way of our modern church life. We are broken and divided. The priestly prayer of Jesus was that we would be united and act as one so that the watching world would see our love for one another. Yet, there are so many fractures and divisions. We hold so tightly to our own convictions and leave no room for others to deviate in their faith. Each person holds their beliefs so tightly that there is only room for defensiveness in our discussions and debates. It makes me feel as though we are, each of us, like this officer of the High Priest.
We are like this officer in that we are focusing on the wrong person in the room. We have lost our way and have let our loyalty drift away from Jesus and toward the “High Priest” of our faith. We are more loyal to a denomination or a confession or a sect or a pastor or an author, that we take our eyes off Jesus and focus them squarely on the person meant to point us to Jesus. I don’t know if I am able to really convey what I am thinking here. Maybe it’s that we think too often about ourselves in terms of “us” and “them.” If they are not with us, then they are against us. And if they are against us, then they are against Jesus. We use the same faulty logic that Jonah used when he refused to go and preach to the Ninevites. He didn’t think they deserved the mercy of God and he refused to be any part of bringing it to them. He metaphorically struck Jesus.
Jesus told us that we are to first love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Then we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. There is no room for “us” versus “them.” They are not our enemy. Our true enemy is the devil. He is the one who hates God. He is the one who hates the church. He is the one who hates everyone. I am called to love Jesus and by so doing, love my neighbor. This means I am to be filled with the Spirit. Letting the character of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control flow from my heart, soul, mind, and every action. I don’t need to defend the honor of Jesus. I only need to pray for the poor soul that is lost and wayward in a life of misery and sin. I need only to be humble and faithful to my Savior. Sinners will be sinners. This should be my expectation. It shouldn’t shock me when I see sinners acting like sinners. My role is to tell the good news of salvation through Christ alone. Only he can change a person’s heart. Then I can respond to Jesus in a proper manner… on my knees with my face to the ground giving praise and worship to the only One who is worthy.