December 26, 2020 -- John 18:19-23 -- Troubles and Heavenly Peace
/19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 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?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?”
John 18:19-23 English Standard Version
Why didn’t Jesus strike back? How could Jesus stay so calm? What is the point of all that is going on here in this brief scene? Jesus didn’t strike back because He knew His purpose. Jesus by His self-control and responses made clear the paradigm of heaven: “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven” (Matthew 5:11-12).
How could Jesus stay so calm? The promise of the Father is: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts you.” (Isaiah 26:6). Jesus knew His Father in heaven was working out His eternal purposes in Jesus’ life. Jesus knew He was filled with the Spirit of God Who would direct His steps, give Him great endurance in suffering and ever remind Him of the Father’s eternal love and the Father’s love for lost and fallen humanity.
The point of what is going on is how deeply and surely the Father loves His wicked and rebellious people. The point of what is gong on is to demonstrate the victory of Jesus. The point of what is going on is to allow believers a glimpse into the workings of the Holy Spirit guarding and protecting those who believe in the Triune God
No doubt Christmas this year was very different than any you have celebrated before. What remains unchanged and unchangeable is the great love of God demonstrated in Jesus Christ. With the eyes of faith, see Jesus, veiled in flesh and yet our king. With the eyes of faith, love Jesus and share His love to others in this world who feel battered by pandemics and financial ruination, and are fearful of all that the future might hold. As Christians, Spirit-filled, we behold Jesus, the Treasure of all Nations, Who holds the future and therefore, with great peace and calm, go and tell it on the Mountain that Jesus Christ is born!
Prayer
Perhaps, this Christmas, family didn’t gather as we had hoped we would. Perhaps expectations were unfulfilled and the disquieted longing of our hearts percolated with even more misgivings and troubles. Into the chaos of this world and human hearts shaken with fears we welcome You, Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for the majesty of that first Christmas. Thank You for the Word, which the Spirit is using to teach us and open the eyes of faith so that Your saving glory is made known. Comfort the disquieted with Your love. Afflict those who are falsely comforting themselves with things that cannot last. Draw our eyes, Spirit of God, to the work of Jesus, wherein we begin not only to see but start to delight in the new understanding of the deep, broad, high, and wide love of God pouring out on all who believe. Glory to You, O Triune God, in the highest! Amen.
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