What Jesus Did! 'A Slap in the Face of God' — John 18:22-23

Monday, November 12, 2018

When Jesus said this, one of the guards standing there hit him. The guard said, "You should not talk to the high priest like that!" Jesus answered, "If I said something wrong, then tell everyone here what was wrong. But if the things I said are right, then why do you hit me?"
— John 18:22-23 NLT
Illustration of John 18:22-23 NLT — "You should not talk to the high priest like that!" —— "If I said something wrong, then tell everyone here what was wrong. But if the things I said are right, then why do you hit me?"

Key Thought

The Temple guard didn't know it at the time, but he was not only slapping a greater High Priest in the face than the one he was protecting, he was also slapping God in the face. Jesus suffered many indignities in his trial and crucifixion. However, the greater tragedy is that those who inflicted these horrible cruelties never had any idea that they were abusing the Son of God, the Messiah that God had sent to redeem them. Yet Jesus suffered these indignities so that we could know that he loves us and will help us in our times of rejection and need!

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for long suffering kindness. Thank you for your overwhelming grace. I see these demonstrated in Jesus' willingness to submit to humiliation, abuse, and torture so that the very ones who hurt him could come to know you as their Father and find your saving grace. I know that same grace is given to me. I praise you and thank you in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 11:29-32
  • Hebrews 4:11-16
  • Luke 10:16

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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