Scripture: So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
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 18:12-14, 19-24 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, Jesus leads the eleven to the Garden of Gethsemane. Meanwhile, Judas and a band of temple soldiers and officers approach Jesus to arrest him. Fully aware of what would transpire, Jesus asks them who they seek. Stating they seek Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus replies, “I am he,” invoking the sacred name Yahweh. Overwhelmed with the magnitude of the moment, Judas and the other Jews recoil and stumble to the ground. So Jesus presses with the same question, receives a similar response, and pointedly reminds them that he is the one they seek and requests they let his disciples go. At this point, Peter draws his sword and lobs off the right ear of a temple servant. So Jesus tells Peter to put away his sword and rhetorically questions Peter, “shall I not drink the cup that the Father as given me?” (referring to his cup of suffering).
Today’s reading continues Jesus’ last hours preceding his crucifixion. Bound like a criminal, the temple officers take Jesus to Annas (emeritus high priest and father-in-law of the incumbent high priest Caiaphas). Annas interrogates Jesus about his disciples and teachings. But Jesus states that he has openly taught in synagogues and the temple before Annas’ cohorts. Jesus then asks Annas his motive for inquiring about these matters and insists that Annas ask those who have listened to his teachings. Furious with Jesus’ seeming impertinence, a nearby officer strikes Jesus with his hand (likely slapping Jesus’ face) and questions Jesus if this is how he should respond to the high priest. Instead of apologizing, Jesus forthrightly challenges the officer to prove any wrong he has committed, but if Jesus is correct, the question remains, “Why did you strike me?” At this point, Annas has heard enough and sends Jesus to Caiaphas.
Takeaway: Annas served as the high priest from 6-15 CE until the Roman Procurator Valerius Gratus deposed him. Caiaphus served in this top religious leadership position from 18-36 CE (following a short-lived stint from Annas’ son). Thus, Caiphas would have tracked Jesus across his entire three-plus-year ministry. But why did the officers first bring Jesus to Annas? Most likely because Annas served as an elder statesman and advisor to his son-in-law.
At first glance, it appears that Jesus sasses Annas, and thus, it is no surprise the loyal officer slapped Jesus. However, as he did with his woes to the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus implicitly calls out Annas for his hypocrisy here. Caiaphas likely kept Annas apprised of Jesus’ rising popularity and perceived threat to the nation (confer 11:45-53). So Jesus saw through Annas’ superficial question. Moreover, Annas’ interrogation violated Mishnah Sanhedrin 4.1, which confirms the illegality of a capital trial at night or during a festival. Indeed, the question and the manner of the interrogation were duplicitous and hardly warranted Jesus’ cooperation.
Of note: The Mishnah is the first primary written collection of Jewish traditions known as the Oral Torah. It is also the first significant work of rabbinic literature.
Out takeaway? Like Jesus, we must discern the proper response when our faith is under attack. There is no formula, but there is a foolproof method: be sensitive to the lead of the Holy Spirit. Jesus assured his disciples that when facing those hostile to him and his mission, the Holy Spirit would give them the right words to say (John 14:26). The same applies to us. Easier said than done? You bet, but if we take the time to reflect on Scripture and prayer, the Holy Spirit will speak to our minds with thoughts that are not of our making. As we receive this direction by faith, we will find confirmation in seeking the counsel of believers and reflecting on the outcomes. This process is like building up muscle strength. The more we practice, the more our faith and discernment will strengthen. Then, in pressure-oriented times when we do not have the luxury to retreat and reflect, the Holy Spirit will speak to our minds, and the words of the Word will flow through us.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you and your Son for sending us your Holy Spirit, who guides us and speaks to our minds when we need divine discernment and wisdom. Still, in our advanced culture, with technology speeding the pace of life, we find it hard to make time and space to quiet our souls and listen to your Holy Spirit as we read and reflect on Scripture and center our prayers on your Son. So would you please motivate us to pause from the manic pace and allow your Word to settle into our minds and hearts and flow through us as your Spirit guides our thoughts? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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