We will be spending each day in the month of July reading a portion of the book of John. Read the scripture text for the day and then share a comment about it in the comments section. We look forward to interacting with one another as we allow the Word of God to speak to us.
12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. 14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. 17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not. 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. 21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. 22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? 23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? 24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. 26 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? 27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. 29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? 30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. 31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: 32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die. 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. 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. 39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
What is truth? Pilate asked that question of the Lord before He was crucified.
The relevance of that question today is far greater. A world where everything is so distorted and twisted. It behooves us to know what truth is and hold onto as if our lives depends on it because, it does. “Buy the truth and sell it not!”
11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: …
The proper perspective when faced with things that cause you to feel powerless. It could not come if God didn’t allow it and he wouldn’t allow it without a plan to bring you through it.
Reading just parts of scripture and being able to take time to learn and see what was going on has been great. Seeing just everything the high priests and Jews were doing takes me back a little. They already had tunnel vision on what they had been taught. Jesus came to save them, to set the people free from bondage and have life in Him. The more they continued in stubbornness the more blind they became. Chapter 18:31 they told Pilate “…It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:” In their hearts they had already committed murder. They were trying to justify themselves. They wanted Pilate to put Him to death so they wouldn’t have the blood on their hands. They could justify by saying we didn’t do it, it was Pilate so that they wouldn’t break their law. They were focused on maintaining their image to man. Chapter 19:15 it continued so far to the point the chief priests said “…We have no king but Caesar.” They weren’t even acknowledging God as their king. This goes as a warning sign on what can happen when we continue in stubbornness and when we will not fully accept Jesus. If we just let Him in a little bit if our lives and we control the rest we put ourself in this danger of getting to this point, we keep our will. It may not seem like you’re doing much but as you continue to deny him you’re becoming more blind to Him, walking farther away, having a more hardened heart.
Verse 19:11 is a reminder that Jesus is all powerful and that we aren’t anything great. We are where we are because God has put us there. Jesus told Pilate you wouldn’t have any power against me, except it was given from above.