Sermon nuggets Weds Nov 12
Theme The Trial
Verses- John 18:19-24 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20 "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.
21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."
22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded.
23 "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?"
24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
Honesty of Jesus
Is honesty the best policy? Some people think by being honest things always turn out for the best. But Jesus shows that even in the face of hypocrisy, He told the truth or said nothing at all. Instead of being set free He is killed. But the final outcome is still in the hands of God.
If Jesus had something to say about someone it was truth. He didn’t care who heard it. He spoke openly and publicly. They were questioning him on doctrine, and the disciples, but they didn’t have to ask him. He could point to many around the room who were there for he spoke openly in the temple and in the synagogues and at the lake, and on the mountain and in the boat and in the valleys. He was the light that shined in the darkness. The light is placed on the lamp stand that all may see.
It is better to speak the truth than lies and much easier too. You don‘t have to remember what you said to whom to cover up lies and then lies to cover up other lies and it grows like a cancer.
Jesus answers to Annas and Caiaphas pointed out their hypocrisy. Where are your witnesses? That’s the law, they knew it. “Why do you strike me?” That’s against the law, they knew it. But the prophecies once again predicted it. Micah 5:8 “They shall strike the judge of Israel on the cheek.” Can you imagine the prosecuting attorney going over to Tom Petters and slapping him in the face because he didn’t like his answers? That would be ridiculous!
That happened to Paul in Acts 23. The high priest ordered those standing near to strike him on the mouth, and Paul called him a whitewashed wall. “You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck?” When something is rotting or has blemishes people paint it to cover it up.
Mark Twain said, “Always do what is right this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”
We live in a culture that is so used to dishonesty that we have accountants to confirm that our financial records are correct. We have police officers and video cameras to keep people from stealing or robbing others.
Friends let us not be naïve, we will continue to run into hypocrisy. You will find it in religion you will find it in church you will find it in people around you, you will find it in the justice system but you will never find it in Jesus Christ.
What you find in Jesus is t one who was wiling to be a victim of injustice and prison and condemned to set us free form all our unrighteousness. He is to show us a more excellent way. I Peter 3:18 says, “Jesus suffered for sin the just for the unjust that He might bring us unto God.”
Even these hypocritical men were part of carrying out God’s greater plan. Those who oppose Him actually accomplish His purposes---they just didn't know it!
How does Jesus deal with hypocrisy? With honesty. Jesus knows the pretense of each heart and life and faces us with truth. The excuses of refusing to come to Christ because there are too many hypocrites in church is self deceiving. Jesus knows the hearts and faces us also with honesty and love. Be sure your lies will find you out. Some day truth will be revealed to all. Until then, it is enough to know our Lord knows. Honesty is our act of worship to Him.
As long as we look to men we will be disappointed, but if Jesus is on trial, listen to truth and commitment your day to Him.
Pastor Dale
