Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, draw our eyes and our hearts to You!
Text: John 18:12–14; 19–24
Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who gave counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. … 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.
Devotion
He who will judge all people with righteousness is brought before the most unrighteous judgment seat which, even before hearing the testimony, has decided that He should die. But the fact of the matter is this: the death-sentence which Israel’s high council unjustly pronounces on the Son of Man was already pronounced in Israel’s Highest and Most Righteous Council, because the Righteous One is made to be sin for us. The words: “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” (Gen 50:20) are confirmed most clearly in Jesus’ suffering. In Him Satan’s sly cunning and deceit are defeated, so that all evil that comes upon the people of God shall be turned to their good. Men’s wicked plan against the Lord’s Church or its individual members turns into blessings. The thoughts of man are thought by God also, but with the enormous difference that they mean it for evil, He means it for good. Yes, long ago He had decided His loving plan all together for the best of His own people. But all this is done in Christ. All such grace, such wisdom and love for us sinners is for His sake, who stood there and was judged by hypocrites and unrighteous men. He has purchased the right to heaven for us who are unrighteous, and He has given it to us by making us members of His Body.
In the Lord’s answer to the High Priest His greatness and His mercy shine forth as brightly as His purity, even in the eyes of the council and all who were present. We hear how He still wants to turn their hearts to the truth and to repentance. Perhaps there might still be a soul like Nicodemus among them! But even if they are all scoundrels, His mercy toward sinners is still so great that He cannot fail to throw them the lifeline of salvation. In return He is slapped in the face. Satan still uses all his skill against the Lord, but our Jesus is and remains meek. He is slapped on His right cheek, so He turns the other cheek. God’s Son, who will sit on the throne of glory, loves the soul of this wretched slave of sin who serves his master by slapping the Lord in the face. And with His chastening words Jesus wants to convert him to the knowledge of sin in order to take him with Himself to paradise, if it were possible. So He atones for the sin of such rulers and servants, while He sanctifies the slap on the face that His people receive from the servants of unbelief, and He gives us power to suffer patiently and to love those who beat us.
Closing Prayer
Indeed, let none of us, dear friends, be found among the unrighteous judges or the ungodly servants! – But do we love our enemies with Jesus’ love, and do we draw them with us to heaven? God, grant us grace for this for Jesus’ sake.
Hymn
Though the sun was still in hiding,
Yet the Sun of righteousness,
Jesus, takes His stand beside them,
While they mock in wickedness;
Now true Light has entered in
Though their minds and hearts are dim,
Questions of His teaching taking,
All the while their jokes still making.
If He plainly spoke His doctrine
Even with all gentleness,
In return would lies be spoken,
Fists be clenched in vengefulness;
Slaps upon His face they aim,
No remorse and without shame,
God must take these strikes and lashes
From a scoundrel, made from ashes.
If for truth’s sake they now take me,
If I’m treated scornfully,
If they still with tongues forsake me,
If they beat me mockingly,
Let me still believing see
All the scorn Thou bor’st for me
Insult, shame, and wicked mock’ry
For my everlasting glory.
Kingo: Længe haver Satan spundet L 320:4.5.8 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Freu dich sehr (ELH 256); alternate hymn: Lord Jesus Christ, my Life, my Light ELH 291:1-4