There was something very strange happening at the priest’s house. It was very late at night and many people were gathering there, some carrying torches, lanterns and weapons! Angry voices were heard and there was a great disturbance. In the centre of all the activity of priests and officials stood Jesus of Nazareth - but He was tied up in their midst as their PRISONER! (verse 12.)
“The high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching.” (verse 19.) He certainly was not interested in becoming a disciple, nor did he want to believe Jesus’ teachings; he was only hoping to find fault with something Jesus would say!
Jesus answered, “‘I have spoken openly to the world…I said nothing in secret. Why question Me? Ask those who heard Me.’
“One of the officials near by struck Him in the face! ‘Is that any way to answer the high priest?’ he demanded.
‘If I said something wrong,’ Jesus replied, ‘testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike Me?’” (verses 22-23.)
These religious people, who claimed to worship the true God of heaven, were neither ready to listen, nor willing to believe the One whom God had sent from Heaven to be the Saviour of the world!
I wonder what place Jesus has in your religion? Is He Prisoner or Priest? Many religions that do believe about Jesus, and teach about His virgin birth, His miracles, His death and resurrection etc., still treat Jesus as their tied up PRISONER! They just ignore, or reject, any of His teachings that they don’t agree with!
In order to know whether He is YOUR Prisoner or Priest you will need to test YOUR response to His teaching!
Here is a clear statement made by Jesus: “I tell you the truth, I am THE GATE for the sheep. All who ever came before Me were thieves and robbers..” (John 10:7-8.) So Jesus is saying that He Himself is the ONLY gate by which you can enter to become one of His flock. Yes, and God’s Word makes it very clear that only Jesus Christ can save us, and bring us into favour with God. (John 14:6.)
Maybe you are thinking that you need the sacraments, or your priests, or your good works, or your religion to give you any hope of getting to God and Heaven. If you are thinking like that, then you are keeping Jesus “tied up”, ignoring His voice that speaks to us through the Holy Bible. Those who do that are treating Jesus as their Prisoner, instead of freeing Him to speak as their true Priest! Many people think nothing of contradicting Jesus, and obeying their religious leaders instead. Don’t expect God to be pleased with you if you treat His Son Jesus in such a way! You cannot just reject or ignore any of Jesus’ teachings that your religion disagrees with! Jesus must be your Priest - your ONLY PRIEST - or God will have to reject you!
Read John chapter 18, verses 12-23. Is Jesus your Prisoner or Priest?
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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