The apostle John wrote how, “the high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, where the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why ask you me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answer you the high priest so?”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-three of his book John shared how Jesus said to the officer, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil” where we read:
Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smite you me?
The verse reads, “Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil:” John began with the words, “Jesus answered him” which means “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate responded and began to speak to the officer”, “If I have spoken evil” or “whether or in case I, Jesus, uttered, declared and proclaimed ill, wrong and amiss”, “bear witness of the evil” which means “testify and affirm the ill, wrong and amiss position”. John shared how Jesus responded to the “officer's” question by telling Him to “testify” about the “wrong” that He declared.
The verse continues, “but if well, why smite you me?” John added the words, “but if well” or “however whether and in case Jesus spoke beautifully, rightly, excellently, nobly and commendably”, “why smite you me” which means “for what reason and cause do you, officer, beat and thrash me, Jesus”? John shared how Jesus continued His response to the “officer” by questioning the reason he hit Jesus.
When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus responded to the “smiting” of the “officer”. Rather than exercise all the power that was available to Him, Jesus simply asked the “officer” to “testify” about the “wrong” He spoke or give a reason for “striking” Him when He spoke good things. The restraint of Jesus is amazing, and He endured this and many other ill treatments by these officials to pay the price of death for the sins of the world. God loves people, and He sent His Son Jesus to be tried, mistreated, tortured and crucified so they may have a personal relationship with Him. Let all who read these words yield to Jesus or be as ones who must provide a reason why they would “slap” Jesus in resistance to what He proclaimed.
Next time John shares how, “Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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