135. Tuesday after Second Sunday in Lent.
Lord Jesus, draw our eye and heart to thee.
John 18, 12-14. 19-24. Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, and led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
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He who shall judge all men with righteousness is brought before the tribunal of most foul injustice, which, even before the trial, has decided that he shall die. However, the truth of the matter is that the sentence of death unjustly pronounced by the high council of Israel has already been pronounced on the Son of Man in the highest and most righteous council of Israel, for the reason that the Righteous One was made to be sin for us. The truth of the words, “ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good,” is in nothing established more clearly than in the passion of Christ. In him the wily craftiness and deceit of Satan are defeated; and to such good purpose, that all the evil which befalls the people of God shall be turned to their good. God makes blessings out of the evil counsel of men against the church of God and against its individual members. The thoughts of men are thought by God also, with the most important distinction, however, that men mean it unto evil, while he means it unto good. Nay, what is more; in his love he has long since decreed that all things shall work together for the good of his children. All this abundance of grace and wisdom and love is poured out over us for the sake of him who was on trial and was judged by hypocrites and unrighteous men. He has bought the justice of Heaven over to the side of us sinners, and has put us in possession of this mercy by making us members of his body.
In the Lord’s reply to the high priest his majesty and his mercy shine as resplendent as does his purity, and fairly blaze before the eyes of the council and the others present. We hear him make still another attempt to turn their hearts to truth and repentance. Who knows but there may have been some Nicodemus among them? But even if they are villains, every one of them, his mercy toward sinners is so great that he must needs throw out the life line to them. His reward is a slap in the face. Satan continued to exercise all his cunning against the Lord, but Jesus is and remains meek; smitten on the right cheek he turns to them the other also. The Son of God, who shall sit on the throne of glory, loves the soul of this wretched slave of sin who tries to curry favor with his betters by striking the Lord in the face. Jesus speaks words of correction to him, in order that he may be brought to know his sin and be saved, if that be possible. In this way he atones for the sin of masters and servants such as these; and at the same time he sanctifies the blows dealt to his people by the slaves of unbelief; and he gives us power to suffer patiently, and to love them that smite us.
Let none of us, dear readers, be found among the unjust judges or the ungodly servants. But do we love our enemies with the love of Jesus, and do we draw them with us to heaven? God, give us grace to do this, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Humble, holy, all resigned
To thy will — thy will be done!
Give me, Lord, the perfect mind
Of thy well-beloved Son.
Counting gain and glory loss,
May I tread the path he trod,
Die with Jesus on the cross,
Rise with him to thee, my God!