Who's On Trial? Series

One evening, while waiting for a bus, a young man was standing with a crowd of people looking in the widow of a taxidermist shop. In the center of the window was a large owl that attracted the attention of all who passed by. The self-appointed expert began to criticize the job done on it. “If I couldn’t do better than that,” he said pompously, “I’d find another business. Just look at it. The head is out of proportion, the pose of the body is unnatural, and the feet are pointed in the wrong direction.” Just then, the owl turned its head and gave the fellow a broad wink. The crowd laughed as the critic slinked away (Bible Illustrator #662, 1/1998.8).

That young man made a fool of himself, and so do most critics, who substitute their own notions about reality for the truth. When people criticize a Rembrandt or even a Picasso, they only prove their own ignorance. They only judge themselves, not the artists.

So how can you avoid making a fool of yourself especially in a day and age when there is so much fake news, which fools so many people. Well, if you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to John 18, John 18, where some people came face to face with the Truth and embarrassed themselves.

John 18:1-3 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons (ESV).

That “band of soldiers,” or detachment, in Jesus’ day usually contained 600 armed men. Judas, no doubt, felt powerful with 600 Roman soldiers behind him, along with several Jewish officers. But that’s what Judas sought—power and prestige. He sought that power in Jesus’ Kingdom, but Jesus was building a different kind of kingdom. So Judas turned against Jesus and betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver. Then Judas led this army of thugs against Jesus.

John 18:4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” (ESV)

Instead of cowering in fear, Jesus steps right up to them.

John 18:5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them (ESV).

When Jesus answered, “…I am He,” He used the personal name for God Himself—He literally said, “I AM.”

John 18:6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground (ESV).

They were overwhelmed in the presence of Almighty God, Himself.

John 18:7-9 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one” (ESV).

Jesus asks them to let His disciples go, and they do! Who is in charge here? Who is in control? Certainly not the 600 soldiers. Certainly not the Jewish officials. And certainly not Judas. No! Jesus is in charge, having overwhelmed 600 soldiers with the mere mention of His name. Jesus is Lord, the sovereign ruler of the universe, so if you want to avoid making a fool of yourself…

SUBMIT TO JESUS AS YOUR LORD.

Surrender yourself to Him. Yield to His will for your life and avoid falling flat on your face like all those who oppose Him.

In A.D. 180, the aging Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius, was about to pass the throne onto one of his generals, the General Maximus Decimus Meridius. But before that could happen, the emperor's son, Commodus, killed his father in order to establish himself on the throne. He then ordered the murder of Maximus and his family. Maximus’ wife and son were killed, but Maximus escapes, is later sold into slavery, and becomes a nameless gladiator. That’s the setting for the movie called The Gladiator.

The climax of the story comes late in the movie. After Maximus wins a great battle in the Coliseum, Emperor Commodus wants to meet this unknown gladiator face to face. The crowd watches as the emperor, in full pomp, strides with his soldiers and his son onto the sands of the Coliseum. Take a Look: Show Gladiator—My Name Is Maximus).

The emperor asks the simple question: “What is your name?”

Maximus, streaked with blood and dirt from the battle, takes off his helmet and says: “My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, general of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius, father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife.”