Why Do You Strike Me?

Jesus Christ was now under arrest on false charges. And he was appearing before the high priest.

 

John 18:19-24 NKJV

 

19The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. 20Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 21Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”

 

22And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?” 23Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?” 24Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

 

Facing the Opposition

 

If we are following Jesus Christ with our lives, in truth, and in godly living, according to the teachings of Christ and of his New Testament apostles, we will face opposition. And some of that opposition might even come from the religious, i.e. from pastors and/or elders of institutional churches or from others who also profess faith in Jesus Christ. But if we are living the truth of God’s word, and if we are sharing the truth of the gospel with others, why would they oppose us? Why would they accuse us of what we did not do?

 

I believe it is because so many of the religious are religious in form only but they are not in genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. Although they may profess faith in the Lord Jesus, they are not living the life that God has for us to live. But they are followers of man, and they are followers of the thinking of humans, and they are followers of the culture they live in rather than be followers of God. And some of them are still living in deliberate and habitual sin against the Lord, and so they are not following Jesus Christ in obedience.

 

An Altered Gospel

 

Thus, many of them have accepted an altered gospel message which appeases human flesh and which does not call for death to sin and obedience to God and to his commands. Or if they do teach repentance, they teach it more as someone just saying they are sorry for their sins, no change in lifestyle required. Or if they teach true repentance and obedience, they teach them more as optional, but not as required for salvation from sin and for eternal life with God. Few it seems teach the biblical gospel message.

 

So, if you are someone who holds to the truths of the Scriptures, and who lives the life that God requires of us who profess faith in Jesus Christ, and who shares the truth of the gospel with others, you may find yourself being opposed and criticized and falsely accused of wrong you did not do by people who are outwardly religious but whose lives are not surrendered to the Lord in obedience to his commands. For so many are following and teaching an altered “gospel” that is not the biblical gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

 

Punished for Doing Good

 

Jesus Christ was punished for doing good, not for doing evil. He was stricken because he spoke truth to the people and not the lies that so many were telling and believing. He confronted sin in sinful humans, and he did not pamper anyone in their sin. And he told them the absolute truth about what will happen to them if they reject him as their Lord, and if they refuse to deny self, die to sin, and obey his commands. They will not have salvation from sin, and they will not have eternal life with God, plain and simple.

 

And so they hated him for that! And they wanted him dead, because he did not cater to their whims, and he did not appease them in their sins, and he did not overlook their unrighteous, cruel, and hateful deeds. But he told them the truth they did not want to hear. But did he also teach on love and kindness and generosity and compassion? Yes! Most certainly! But love is preferring what God prefers, which is what is righteous, holy, morally pure, upright, kind, faithful, honest, and obedient to our Lord and his commands.

 

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; 2 Corinthians 5:10,15,21; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

 

When I Am Afraid

 

Based off Psalms 56-57

An Original Work / October 17, 2016

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

 

When I am afraid, Lord, I will trust in You.

Your Word, Lord, I praise. I yield my life to You.

Enemies pursue me, slandering Your Name.

Lord, have mercy. I trust in You. Hear my cry today.

 

Lord, I love Your Word. It comforts me today,

As I look to you, and bow my head and pray.

You are Christ, my Lord. You saved me from my sin,

That I may walk, Lord before You, purified within.

 

Steadfast is my heart, O God, I sing of You.

I will praise You, Lord. To You, I will be true.

Oh, how great Your love. Your faithfulness endue.

Be exalted, God of heaven. Glory be to You.

 

https://vimeo.com/187821104

 

Why Do You Strike Me?

An Original Work / May 22, 2026

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love