4/12/2019  2 Comments (at the bottom of this reflection.)

Today's question:
"Should you hit a man for telling the truth?​ "

From John 18:
20 Jesus replied, “What I teach is widely known, for I have preached regularly in the synagogue and Temple; I have been heard by all the Jewish leaders and teach nothing in private that I have not said in public. 21 Why are you asking me this question? Ask those who heard me. You have some of them here. They know what I said.”
22 One of the soldiers standing there struck Jesus with his fist. “Is that the way to answer the High Priest?” he demanded.
23 “If I lied, prove it,” Jesus replied. “Should you hit a man for telling the truth?”

Reflection from David Gafrick

Standing before the high priest, Jesus is questioned by Caiaphas concerning his teaching and the actions of his followers, the disciples.  Occurring on the evening that will give rise to morning and his crucifixion, Jesus offers no defense of his teaching or the actions of his followers.  He responds by telling Caiaphas that nothing has been done in secret and to ask those who heard him teach repeatedly at the temple what he did and said.  Upon hearing Jesus response, an officer of the court strikes Jesus, whereby Jesus asks the question contained in the reflection.

It is quite easy to view this as a singular event confined to that particular evening.  The greater truth is that Jesus asks us continually, “Who do you say I am?”  In asking this question Jesus gets to the heart of the matter, one that asks us to put aside our assumptions and ideas of who we think he is and to concentrate on the scriptures for a clear idea. 

Jesus challenged all in his brief time here on earth.  He challenged those of the religious elite.  He confronted the rich and powerful, as in the case of the rich young ruler.  He challenged orthodoxy, as in the case where he told his disciples that neither the sin of a man or his parents caused him to be blind.
Jesus challenged the norms of society.  He spoke to sinners, dined with tax collectors and other cheaters, and spoke to outcasts like Samaritans.  He broke barriers, elevating women to a position of equality with men.   Even to his disciples he challenged thinking.  John 6:59-66 tells of those who followed Jesus, upon hearing a message that was tough and not to their liking, turning and walking away.  A crowd of 15-thousand dwindles to only a few, with Jesus asking the disciples if they too wish to walk away as well.

The question is relevant today.  Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?”  Do we seek him according to the scriptures?  Do we ask for his direction and leading through prayer?  Do we have faith, believing in what we have yet to see and trusting in that which has yet to occur?  Or do we revert to the world, its situations, our current state of affairs and default as those in the Bible did to what we believe God should be and what God should do? 
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Jesus asks each of us today, “Would you strike me for telling you the truth?”  May our actions differ from the court official.

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Comments

Scott Lynch
Fri, Apr 12, 2019 at 11:36 am
Very nice reflection!

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Pastor Irene Taylor
Wed, Apr 17, 2019 at 3:24 pm
David,
Thank you for your insight and wisdom. Very powerful and thought-provoking. 

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About Today's Author

David Gafrick is the son of Ruth Gafrick and brother of Karen Gafrick Boesche.  He lives in Houston, Texas and attends Community of Faith, a Bible believing and preaching multi-denominational church in Houston.  
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