What Did I Say

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

WHAT DID I SAY

John 18:19-24

19 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.  

NIV

Speaking the truth will always anger some people. Speaking in private is where plots which cause dissension or division, and schemes for power happen. Jesus always spoke in public, teaching the truth. This certainly angered these people he stood in front of. Yet the life application here for us is twofold in that first we too must always speak the truth in church. It is not always the doctrine of a specific denomination which is the truth; otherwise we would not have so many denominations with different opinions of what the truth is. There is also the issue of speaking in private about the direction of actions the church leadership is moving the church. These private conversations or gripe and gossip sessions do nothing but cause dissension or division among the body of Christ. Jesus said nothing wrong; he was convinced if they wanted to know what he said, they could ask those who heard him speak. We have to make sure that whatever we say, in public or private has no wrong in it and we would be absolutely fine with anyone testifying to what we said. When we speak the truth we are aligned with the scriptures, but when we speak outside the truth we are aligned with our humanity. Why should we be afraid to speak the truth? Why should we shun away from being open, speaking openly in church, as well as to the world? We have the power of the Holy Spirit guiding us to the truth and enabling us to speak it. All we need to do is to listen to him and he will give us the words of truth, which ring out to the ears of those who are in the sound of our voice. Some will become angry and perhaps even strike out against us, but others will be able to testify that what we said was the truth. If we want the truth to be heard, stand up and speak out, not in private, but in public.