Read: John 18:12-40
Today, we find two things happening as the story goes back and forth
between Jesus’ trials and Peter’s denials.
After Jesus was arrested, Peter followed at a distance and three times he
denies being a disciple of Jesus (v. 17, 25-27). It is important to note that Peter does not
deny that Jesus is Christ; he only denies any association with Him. The reference to the rooster’s crow is a
reminder that Jesus predicted Peter’s denials (v. 27, see John 13:38). The trials of Jesus began with Annas who questioned
Jesus about His disciples and teaching (v. 19).
Jesus replies that everything Annas wants to know was a matter of public
knowledge and could be learned from others.
This was not seen as a favorable response. Jesus was then sent to Caiaphas (v. 24) and
then to Pilate (v. 29). The Jews wanted
a judicial execution (v. 31). Pilate
questioned Jesus about whether or not He was king of the Jews (v. 33-34). Jesus accepted the title but refused the
meaning given it (v. 35-36). His
Kingship was bound to God’s truth, which was beyond Pilate (v. 37). Pilate judged Jesus innocent of any violation
of the law and attempted to free Him (v. 38-39) but the Jews would have none of
it (v. 40).
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. To deny means to disagree, renounce, decline,
contradict, and discard or to refuse to accept or believe something. A common way Christians deny Christ is by not
spending time with Him in His Word and in prayer. Pray that Christians would desire to spend
time with God by reading His Word, and encountering God in the Word. Pray that you would model a life that is
transformed by the Word of God.
2. When questioned by Pilate, Jesus neither affirms
nor denies His identity as King but responds like a King. Christ shows that His thinking is much higher
than their thinking; He is working on an entirely different level and won’t get
caught up in a useless human debate.
Think about how you can apply this strategy to discussions and
disagreements in your life. Do you rise above useless debates or do you find
yourself ensnared and embittered by this sort of thing. Ask the Lord to strengthen you to rise above
this sort of thing. Pray that you would not waste your time and energy in petty
discussions that get nowhere.
