Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?" John 18:23 (NKJV)
Christ's last night on earth was spent enduring a series of mock trials. The Jewish rulers of the day had made up their mind a long time before that they were going to execute Jesus. It wasn't a matter of if but of when. They were waiting for just the right opportunity to pounce...which they eventually did.
The rulers had Him arrested and brought before them so they could interrogate Him about His teachings. When Jesus drew their attention to the fact that His teachings were public and common knowledge, an officer walked up to Him and struck Him in the face. It was at this point that the Lord asked this searching question: "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?"
In this question, Jesus revealed a much deeper issue, an issue that pertains to all mankind. He was showing that there is something very wrong and irrational when it comes to the hateful reaction the world has toward Him.
Why do so many respond negatively towards Jesus? What has He done to deserve it? Who has advanced the cause of love, charity, and forgiveness more than Jesus? Who has had a more positive impact on this world than Him? It didn't make sense to strike Jesus that night so long ago, and it doesn't make sense when people do it today. His question is just as searching now as it was then, and it reveals that there's something wrong with us...not Him.
"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. (John 3:19-20 NKJV)
Discuss and share with your group a time recently when you witnessed a deep disdain for Jesus. What do you think caused that behavior? How did you react?
Dig into John 3:19–20. What does this verse communicate to you about the world in which you live? Why is it so essential that we understand this tension? How have you experienced the truth of this verse?
Decide to pray for those in your community who are rejecting the name of Jesus. As a group, intercede on their behalf, asking that the love of God be made manifest to them.
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