Scripture: John 18:12-27
“When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face.” – v. 22
Jesus testified to the truth, and was promptly slapped in the face. He had done nothing wrong, all of his teachings were public knowledge, and nothing was done in secret. Yet one of the officials “struck” him, a word apparently meaning “a blow with the open hand.”
Thus begins the unjust treatment of Jesus. Thus begins a series of striking – first a slap, then lashes, then nails, then death. All unjust punishment for the only human who was ever without sin.
Sometimes, the only reward for speaking the truth in public is a slap in the face. This scene inside the temple is framed perfectly by Peter speaking anything but the truth in public. Peter denies knowing Jesus (v. 15-18), Jesus is questioned by the high priest (v. 19-24), Peter denies knowing Jesus a 2nd and 3rd time (v. 25-27).
Sometimes, denying the truth is so much easier. There’s no punishment. There’s guilt, but we do such a good job at hiding that. Denying the truth literally and metaphorically “saves face” when we’re in public. We don’t sound weird, we’re not labeled freaks, and more importantly, we’re not aiding an abetting Jesus, a known rebel.
Peter is how we are. But Jesus is how we must be. We must testify to the truth, even when it earns us a slap in the face – or worse, death. Are we willing to stand up to the high priests of the world today? Are we willing to testify to the truth we know and follow? Are we willing to get slapped? Or will we save face, yet again?
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