John 18:23-24 They Don't Know What They Are Doing

“If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. 

Observation:

Jesus had done nothing wrong, had never sinned, yet here He is being accused of? Well......The Jewish leaders are unsure of what to accuse Him of, so they try to lay traps for Him, desperately trying to find Him guilty of something. 

And in the midst of trying to trap Jesus, Jesus is slapped in the face by an official, over an honest and non-condemning answer to Annas question. The slap was no doubt a trap to get a condemning reaction out of Jesus, but they failed.

Application:

When first reading this my first reaction is anger, what would make anyone think it is ok to slap God? But a tug in my heart reminds me that I have the Holy Spirit within me so I can see the wrong of their actions, but they had no such revelation. I wonder if we would be more compassionate with the unbelieving world if we realized that that only those with the Holy Spirit have been given eyes to see the truth. My heart breaks that Jesus endured such torture. But even Jesus asked God to forgive them for they know not what they do. What a great example Jesus has given us in how to live and love!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the revelation that comes from Your Spirit. Please continue to pour out Your compassion and love in my heart for those who don't understand the depravity of sin and the destruction that it causes.