This dark event is a mirror and a spotlight. We see our reflection in Judas, in the authorities, in Peter, in the disciples – they are us! We have sinned just as they have. This event is also a spotlight on the courage and righteousness of Christ. In the dark night when everything and everyone is in shadows, He is the ‘light of the world’.
To meditate/pray upon
John 18:19-27 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.
Meanwhile, Simon
Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t
one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.”
One of the high
priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off,
challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied
it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.’
We are seeing two
scenes played out in front of us: Peter moving toward betrayal and Jesus,
remaining faithful, moving toward the cross.
This is the story of
all of our lives. Let’s always keep both ‘chapters’ of our book open before us.
We have sinned, we could never save ourselves, but Jesus is the only Saviour to
whom we offer our ever-grateful hearts.
Paul kept his past and
present open before him. His story, as our own, teaches us humility, mercy, and
is a great source of hope for others. As Paul said,
1 Timothy 1:15 ‘Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full
acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the
worst.’
How patient and merciful are you toward other people’s failings? How
ready are you to forgive or be forgiven? How soft is your heart toward those
annoying people? Maybe you need to see yourself again in this story?
You can catch up on all the messages in the
John series at:
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