John 18:23
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?”
The trial had begun. The high priest had asked Jesus about his disciples and his teaching and Jesus reminded him that he had been teaching openly and had said nothing in secret. “Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said” (Jn 18:21). It was a brilliant move and was a reminder for everyone present that the Jewish law called for witnesses to be brought…and the first of those, in defense of the person accused. Once again, the Jewish leaders were proving themselves to be hypocrites and abusers.
Jesus’ crafty reply earned him a hard slap to the face from one of the officers standing near him. The physical abuse that would lead to his crucifixion had begun. Theologian Henry Alford remarked, “This blow was a signal for the indignities which followed.” And follow they did. Jesus was exposing the truth that they were unwilling to practice their own standards. Jesus, via the Holy Spirit, is doing the same thing today. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of its sin…and convicts Believers when they sin, as well. Sometimes, He chooses to do that through us when we stand for the truth of God’s Word…or reach out to another Christian to lovingly confront them about their sin (Mt. 18:15; Gal. 6:1).
There is an additional point I’d like to make about today’s verse. Jesus was obviously playing a much bigger game than anyone at the trial understood, but his defense of himself points us to an important lesson: We need to love ourselves like we would love a neighbor, so it’s ok to speak out in our own defense. Of course, there are times when it is best to keep our mouths shut—and Jesus modeled that for us as well—but we must never be afraid to speak up when an injustice is being perpetrated, either on others or ourselves.
Unfortunately, too many Christians believe it is more Christlike to absorb offenses rather than put up a defense. But, when truth and justice are on the line, a Christian has an obligation to stand up in defense of both. In doing so, we not only love ourselves well, but we love our neighbors, too. God is truth. Jesus is truth. We are called to be people of truth. The TRUTH is a powerful witness for God and you never know what the Holy Spirit might do when you bear witness to that. He might use it to convict an unbeliever and show them their need for a Savior…or He might use it to encourage a fellow Believer…or He might use it to encourage you, as he used Moses to encourage the Israelites:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid of terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:6).
