On Jesus' Side

Monday, April 11, 2011 Reading: John 18:28-40 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2018&version=NIV Reflection: One of the things we find out in this passage is part of the reason the religious leaders refused to listen to or support Jesus. I say one of the reasons, because people being complex I'm sure they had multiple reasons. However, Jesus states in verse 37 that everyone who listens to the truth is on Jesus side. But the religious leaders are not interested in the truth. This is evident in many ways, but in this passage we see it in the hint we are given that Jesus was tried at night. That was against Jewish law. People were to be tried during the day so that witnesses would be available and the truth could be discovered. But the religious leaders weren't interested in the truth. They were interested in getting rid of Jesus, regardless of what happened to the issues of truth and justice. It seems ironic that those who were religious leaders were more interested in the preservation of power than in the discovery of truth. However, while this is certainly sad, it is not unusual. It is easy for a religious leader, whether we call them priest or pastor, to slip into the mode of self-preservation or institutional protection. We can begin to make decisions and manipulate communication in ways that mask the truth in order to protect the church or advance our own reputations. Sometime we may not even be conscious of what we are doing. For this reason, it is critical that all leaders be accountable to the church and willing to examine whether they are seeking truth or protecting themselves. When we fall down on the side of selp-preservation, we need to repent and return to seeking and revealing the truth. After all, we always want to be on the side of Jesus. At least, I certainly do.