Judge or Grace

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

JUDGE OR GRACE

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

It is interesting Jesus is speaking out against his accusers here in the presence of the high priest. We do not know what the questions are but what we do know is this questioning, this act of judgment was happening at night. We also know from our scholars this was in the direct offense to the Talmud, which clearer states criminal process can neither commence nor terminate, but during the course of the day. (Sanhed c. 4 s 1) If the person is acquitted, the sentence may be pronounced during the day, but if he be condemned, the sentence cannot be pronounced until the next day. But no kind of judgment is to be executed, either on the eve of the Sabbath or of any festival. Well, we know that law was broken in every sense, and they were judging Jesus for breaking the law. This takes us back to the teaching that we should check for that log in our own eye before looking for the speck in another’s eye. How can we be the judge and jury of another’s failure and when we have so many failures of our own? Do we not break the commands of God when we judge another for breaking a command of God? How bizarre is our thinking? How do we think we are right in any way by doing what is clearly stated as being wrong? The high priest, if anyone, would be so familiar with the Talmud, he would have known this whole affair was against the laws of God. But he and the rest of them did not care about the law, they only cared about their own agenda. Self- centered instead of God-centered is the basis for many infractions of God’s commands, especially when we are using God as the means for our infractions. They were claiming Jesus was breaking the law, using God as the means for their breaking the law. No, we need not judge anyone except ourselves. We should think soberer about our own life. Jesus had done nothing wrong, but they had, yet he was going to pay the penalty for speaking the truth opening in the synagogues or at the temple. He even tells them to ask witnesses as to what he said then they would know the truth. We have to be careful not to act as these Jews and judge being in disobedience to God. Let us be aware of our own offenses and live with grace toward others. God demonstrates his grace toward us, so then we should demonstrate his grace toward others. So then the question is do we judge, or do we show grace?