21 Why do you question me? Question those who heard what I told them. Look, they know what I said.”
22 When he had said these things, one of the officials standing by slapped Jesus, saying, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?”
23 “If I have spoken wrongly,” Jesus answered him, “give evidence[a] about the wrong; but if rightly, why do you hit me?” (John 18:21-23 CSB)
Yesterday I wrote about loving those who hate us. Much like the “turn the other cheek” scripture, it can be difficult to do. However, Christ also taught us through scripture about a righteous response.
In today’s scripture He shows us how to respond to those who may attack us. Christ did not turn the other cheek, what he did is rebuff the attacker by pointing to his innocence. “Give evidence about the wrong; but if rightly, why do you hit me?”
I have often said that facts bear out truths. But do not expect others to respond kindly in the face of facts or truths. No, especially today, it seems that facts matter less and less as does the truth. However, our Christian response is to stand firm upon them. Christ knew that he faced even greater punishment for the facts he presented as He was put through the kangaroo court that ultimately called for His crucifixion.
We too may find ourselves facing such unmerited accusations and even though it may lead to negative outcomes, we must be strong and stand upon biblical evidence and truths.
