The Word that Confronts Us

The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest (John 18: 19-24).

 Don’t miss the irony of this moment. Annas, unofficial high priest of the Jews questioned Jesus, the High Priest of Heaven… “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession” (Hebrews 4:14). Annas was not the true high priest of the Jews. He had conspired with the Romans to have his son-in-law Caiaphas installed as high priest and he served as Annas’ puppet. Everyone knew this to be true. That’s why the soldiers and officers brought Jesus to Annas before He was sent to the real high priest Caiaphas, who had already decided that Jesus must die… “It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people” (John 18:14). This was a God-ordained opportunity for the incarnate Word of God (see John 1:1, 14) to reveal some very potent, encouraging truth about the spoken Word of God. Today the Holy Spirit teaches earnest disciples about the word that confronts us.

Jesus told Annas that His word is for the whole world. One of the most profound truths of all eternity is that God loves the whole world… “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). It is God’s will that His gospel be preached openly to every living person… “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Jesus calls every true disciple share the words He spoke about forgiveness and salvation with every living creature… “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation’” (Mark 16:15). Jesus spoke openly so God’s word might confront the whole world.

Jesus told Annas that His word is revealed in the lives of true disciples. The clearest evidence of the truth of God’s word is not found in books, letters, or sermons. Instead of answering Annas’ question directly, Jesus pointed him to the lives of those who heard and embraced the truth of God’s word. The best illustration of the power of God’s word is in the words and deeds of Christ’s disciples… “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples” (John 8:31). There is irrefutable, undeniable evidence of the power of God’s truth in the transformed lives of those who hear and believe His word… “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24). Jesus calls His disciples to be clear reflections of His truth so that His word might confront the world.

The officer that struck Jesus revealed that His word provokes anger in the hearts of unbelievers. While believers are transformed into disciples by its truth, unbelievers are convicted and their hearts are hardened when confronted by God’s word… “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Disciples who are immersed in the truth of God’s word, speaking God’s word, applying and living according to God’s word are a constant reflection of His word that confronts the world around them… “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:15). Christ’s word provoked the officer to strike Him and Annas to dispatch Him to death at the hand of Caiaphas. Jesus’ true disciples still confront and provoke unbelievers as we abide in His word today.

As we grow up into Christ we are being transformed as the world is convicted and provoked by…

The Word that Confronts Us.