My ongoing study of the word "doctrine" as published in the KJV was briefly interrupted, but I have not forgotten. This post brings us to the last mention of doctrine in the Gospel of John.
After Jesus' arrest, He was subjected to several illegal trials, and asked questions that the officials should have known the answers to. One example, as Peter stood by, was with the high priest, who suddenly had become interested in knowing about our Lord's doctrine. John 18:18-20 King James Version (KJV)
18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
The high priest (emeritus - Annas) had to start somewhere, so he proceeded to ask Jesus pertinent questions about His ministry, especially His doctrine. Jesus’ answer: bring witnesses. There are no secrets. I teach in public, where all the Jews could hear and have heard me. Ask them what I’ve taught. By now, everyone knew what Jesus taught. The Pharisees had watched His every move and had heard Him teach. The questions were just formality.
His words elicited a blow from an officer, for insubordination (they didn’t like the answer). Jesus observed that they may not like His answer, but could not deny the truth of what He had said. Annas had had enough and sent Him on to Caiaphas, the official high priest and his own son-in-law. Of course, we recognize this series of interviews as the inner workings of a “good ol’ boy” organization, and it had only just begun.
The issue here: Jesus was not arrested and tried for preaching love and tolerance. The leaders of the Jews wanted Him eliminated for His teaching of truth, which was a threat to their religious system. That system gave them political power over their own people and clout with the Romans, to whom they were enslaved. If people started to believe Jesus' doctrine, the legalism that controlled their lives would lose its grip, and they would learn about true freedom. For that reason, the powerful leadership of Jerusalem wanted Him dead.
His doctrine was not secretive, but clear, Godly truth which by this time had been publicly presented to all who would hear. By standing on truth, we will be ostracized by the powers that be. We will be despised and perhaps openly persecuted, but we are not better than our Lord, and there is no doctrine more valuable than the written Word of God, and no rewards greater than those realized by steadfast believers who love His Word.
This doctrine is meant to be shared with the world, and we are meant to share it.
The issue here: Jesus was not arrested and tried for preaching love and tolerance. The leaders of the Jews wanted Him eliminated for His teaching of truth, which was a threat to their religious system. That system gave them political power over their own people and clout with the Romans, to whom they were enslaved. If people started to believe Jesus' doctrine, the legalism that controlled their lives would lose its grip, and they would learn about true freedom. For that reason, the powerful leadership of Jerusalem wanted Him dead.
His doctrine was not secretive, but clear, Godly truth which by this time had been publicly presented to all who would hear. By standing on truth, we will be ostracized by the powers that be. We will be despised and perhaps openly persecuted, but we are not better than our Lord, and there is no doctrine more valuable than the written Word of God, and no rewards greater than those realized by steadfast believers who love His Word.
This doctrine is meant to be shared with the world, and we are meant to share it.
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