John 18:19–24: The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.” And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?” Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?” Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
“I said nothing in secret,” this refers to the substance, which was always the same, though the form of teaching varied. He did not speak differently among the disciples to teach them anything different; nor did he act cunningly, as if he deliberately intended to conceal from the people what he spoke to a few people indoors. Therefore, he could testify with a clear conscience that he had openly declared and honestly proclaimed the substance of his teaching. 1
Your Word is Truth
To be a communicator of love and truth and grace can be challenging. Sometimes it may not be appreciated, other times it may be misinterpreted. Jesus never hid His love from others. Despite how others may respond to us, we are still accountable to love like Jesus would love, and to speak like Jesus would speak.
As Jesus said these things to them, scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, to cross-examine Him about many things, lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him. –Luke 11:53–54
You Alone are God
To put your complete confidence in the Word of God is the best advice on earth. – TWEET IT
Your Will be Done
Lord, thank You for always speaking the truth, and for never changing Your message.
1. Calvin, J. (1994). John. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
