Plain Words in Complicated Moments
Learning to Speak Truth Like Jesus
It’s Saturday, so hopefully you’ll excuse a little bit of a deep dive into comparative biblical interpretation.
What jumped out to me today in this passage is Jesus’ statement that he has “said nothing in private.” It didn’t seem accurate to me. While we know that what is called the messianic secret is primarily a feature of the gospel of Mark, I assumed that there was some element of it in John. (This is where we read Jesus saying something like, “Don’t tell anyone about this.”).
I was wrong. John very much shows us a very public Jesus. He never says in John, “Don’t tell anyone.” Indeed, he speaks quite openly throughout John.
This is another education in the fact that the gospels present the same Jesus in different lights. For some, this can be a jarring realization. But it’s okay. Really.
One of the beauties of Jesus’ story is that it invites many angles. The Church, in choosing to include four gospels, seems to have embraced that complexity. I wonder what it would be like to read four different authors’ accounts of Bilbo Baggins or Moby Dick…
But back to our short passage for today. Jesus is in chains in front of the chief priests. These are his religious leaders. They have some actual political authority, but not much, being subject to the domination of Rome. This is the beginning of his trial over the next several hours.
It can be difficult to relate to his experience here, in great part because our systems don’t work like the ones we will see he allows subjection to during his trial. There is for sure, various factions of authority, just like today. But beyond that general situation, it’s quite different from what we know.
In the end, a key takeaway here is that Jesus simply speaks the truth. Plainly. We can take from this his example. Sometimes we want to use a creative assortment of strategies or claiming of rights (and we even have a bit of biblical example/precedence with this when we read Paul’s trials in Acts). But Jesus simply speaks plainly.
What would it look like for us to speak plainly—with integrity, not bravado—when the moment demands truth? Can you imagine our public leaders today just stating things plainly? (Maybe some do and we just don’t hear about it.)
But our call is not to be noticed for the sake of spectacle or well-delivered witty words. Perhaps one of the most Christlike things we can do in the face of pressure is to simply tell the truth, without spin.
Imagine that.
John 18:19-24
Meanwhile, the chief priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered, “I’ve spoken openly to the world. I’ve always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews gather. I’ve said nothing in private. Why ask me? Ask those who heard what I told them. They know what I said.”
After Jesus spoke, one of the guards standing there slapped Jesus in the face. “Is that how you would answer the high priest?” he asked.
Jesus replied, “If I speak wrongly, testify about what was wrong. But if I speak correctly, why do you strike me?” Then Annas sent him, bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
Psalm 38:11-15
My loved ones and friends keep their distance from me
in my sickness;
those who were near me now stay far away.
Those who want me dead lay traps;
those who want me harmed utter threats,
muttering lies all day long.
But I’m like someone who is deaf, who can’t hear;
like someone who won’t open their mouth,
like a person who doesn’t hear
and who has no good reply.
But I wait for you, Lord!
You will answer, my Lord, my God!
Prayer
God,
When I’m tempted to twist my words or guard my reputation, teach me to speak like Jesus—clear, honest, and unafraid.
May my words reflect your light, and my silence be full of your peace.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.