April 30, 2012

YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!

John 18

Michael Galvis
Monday's Devo

April 30, 2012

Monday's Devo

April 30, 2012

Central Truth

Those who don't know or love Jesus for who He really is don't want Him around, and even those who do know and love Him tend to run from Him, too. But Jesus bravely and lovingly faces His unfair trials and impending crucifixion to fulfill God's plan for our salvation.

Key Verse | John 18:36

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm."
(John 18:36)

John 18

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

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. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” 1 18:5 Greek I am; also verses 6, 8 Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus 2 18:6 Greek he said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 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.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant 3 18:10 Or bondservant; twice in this verse and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

Jesus Faces Annas and Caiaphas

12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews 4 18:12 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verses 14, 31, 36, 38 arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

Peter Denies Jesus

15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants 5 18:18 Or bondservants; also verse 26 and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus

19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter Denies Jesus Again

25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

Jesus Before Pilate

28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. 6 18:28 Greek the praetorium It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

My Kingdom Is Not of This World

33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber. 7 18:40 Or an insurrectionist

Footnotes

[1] 18:5 Greek I am; also verses 6, 8
[2] 18:6 Greek he
[3] 18:10 Or bondservant; twice in this verse
[4] 18:12 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verses 14, 31, 36, 38
[5] 18:18 Or bondservants; also verse 26
[6] 18:28 Greek the praetorium
[7] 18:40 Or an insurrectionist

Dive Deeper | John 18

To quote a great friend and Watermark mentor of my mine, who said about me, "He has chased after everything but Christ for most of his life." This was his succinct assessment after getting to know me and my testimony in the Men's Bible studies. He pretty much nailed it.

This passage is really a tough one for me because, not just some, but ALL of the characters showed their evil, depraved selves throughout. From Judas, who betrayed Jesus; Peter, who denied Him three times; the whole detachment sent by the Sanhedrin to arrest Him; the disciples who all vanished from the scene; Annas, who kicked off the illegal trials; the official who struck Jesus in the face; Caiaphas himself, the central culprit; Pilate, the crowd appeaser who literally washed his hands of the mess; the Jews shouting in the crowd; and finally Barabbas -- not one in the entire passage stood by Jesus' side.

That group basically sums up the depravity within each one of us, and especially me. I've been each of these characters at various times in my life. I have betrayed, denied, arrested, vanished from His presence, put Him on trial, slapped Him, plotted His demise, washed my hands of Him, shouted for His extinguishing, and been the criminal set free. All this while living an outwardly successful life as a loving father and husband, entrepreneur and business owner, adventurer, and all-around good guy.

Because I am 55, and a recent recipient of God's unfathomable grace, I have lived a life with enough sin to choke a horse. I am continually awestruck at why God would even want us as His children when we often don't want Him. "All of us like sheep have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him." (Isaiah 53:6) So this passage begins the series of torturous and unspeakable acts of punishment and terror that Jesus endured to save us even though we deserved that punishment and even though we, by our sin, ultimately nailed our Lord to the cross. God's love is truly amazing.

Discussion Questions

1. Before you knew who Jesus really is, what was your perception of Him, what kinds of things did you say about Him to others, and how did others speak to you about Him?

2. Which characters in John 18 are you or have you been like at times? Which ones can you relate to?

3. If you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, how have your conversations with Christians and non-Christians regarding Jesus changed?

4. Can you identify and discuss times in your life when you have run from or denied Jesus like the disciples and Peter did in the passage?

WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY

John 18 – Acts 2 (April 30 – May 4)

Read Acts 2:41-47.

• This is the early church. Discuss all the things they were doing together.
• How is this similar to your church today?
• God calls us to be in community together. Parents share with your kids what community looks like in your life.
• Then discuss how community looks for your kids. What friends are they "sharing life with"? And talk about what it looks like to really live in community (e.g., sharing the good and the bad, meeting together regularly, serving the needy together, helping each other when you are in need, etc.).

Activity: Make a list of some of the most important people in your community. Think about something that you can do for them to let them know you are thankful to have them in your life (e.g., bake some cookies and leave on their porch, write them personal thank-you notes, or throw a movie night at your house).