John 18
John 18 opens with Jesus and His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, continues with the betrayl of Peter, and then the trial of Jesus including His appearances before Pilate and the Jewish high priest.
33. Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
34. Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
35. Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
36. Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
John 18:33-36, King James Version
Bible Devotions from John 18
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In our Bible passage from John 18 we read of the betrayal by Judas. As I was reading these verses, I noted that this garden to which Jesus went was familiar to all of the disciples, including Judas. In America, especially in small towns, we feel safe. We do not worry about taking our children to the park or going for a walk on a sunny day. |
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Judas and the soldiers were seeking the wrong person! They were looking for a man named Jesus who came from the town of Nazareth. Is that really who they found? |
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Simon Peter reacted to the arrest of Jesus in a rather foolish manner. Do we, like Peter, need to take things into our own hands when difficulties arise and we cannot seem to find our way? |
One Man Should Die - verses 12-14
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The high priest, Caiaphas, had said that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. What was he thinking? Did he really believe in Jesus? |
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In our passage today we are witnesses to a drama within a drama. Though afraid, Simon Peter followed Jesus from a distance so as not to be discovered. Also following Jesus is John who, being a friend of the High Priest, is allowed entrance into the palace of the high priest. Seeing Peter outside the door, John spoke to the keeper of the door and persuaded her to let in Peter. |
Where Is the Sin? - verses 19-24
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There was no sin! Though he had nothing with which to charge Jesus, Caiaphas sent him on to the Roman high court to appear before Pilate. |
2nd and 3rd Denials - verses 25-27
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Like Simon Peter, we learn that our failures provide tremendous opportunities for Christian growth. We cannot grow until we learn that we cannot live the Christian life without the help of God. |
Is It Not Lawful? - verses 28-32
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This Bible passage from the 18th chapter of John is filled with irony! In the middle of obeying the letter of their own laws, the Jewish leaders broke the law of God in condemning an innocent man to death. |
Jesus before Pilate - verses 33-36
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What an interesting conversation between Jesus and Pilate. Notice, in the verses above from John 18, Jesus never directly answered the question of Pilate. |
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As we continue with the session of Jesus before Pilate, we are faced with a sobering truth. There is no righteousness apart from God. Equity in the eyes of the world is always related to the question, "Which ruling brings the greatest gain?" |
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