August 16, 2015: SOAP #2082:

Scripture: John (NIV) 18:19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

Observation: Jesus invited the high priest and his court to question those who had heard him teach in the public places. They would know what he had said. He was not trying to distance himself from what he had previously taught, but to own it. He did not need to spin his teaching to make it line up with the truth.

When confronted with recordings of their past statements, many politicians today try to “spin” the meaning of what they said. They try to make their words more acceptable to the voters. I am often amazed at the politician’s response, even after hearing a recording of their own words. It seems like anything they have ever said in public has been caught on a TV camera, a recorder, or a cell phone.

Application: Jesus had no problems with people checking into his past statements. I should have no problems either. Any comments I have made in public, any posts on Facebook or Twitter, any statements to my neighbors—they all reveal my heart. When someone questions me, I want to be able to say, “Check out what I said in the past. Look at my Facebook posts. Talk to my neighbors.”

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me live and talk today in such a way that my future will not be hindered by my past. Amen