"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." (John 18:38, ESV)
What is truth? The truth is Pilate found no guilt in Jesus. The truth is Pilate knew the religious leaders wanted him to do their 'dirty work’. The truth is Pilate found Jesus to be a King of a kingdom that was not of this world; therefore, Jesus had no earthly aspirations for a throne here. He is not guilty. He finds Jesus to be a man who speaks with wisdom like a king. The conversation between Jesus and Pilate is one of the clearest, pointed, straight-to-the-point conversations that any two leaders could have. Pilate has questions. Jesus has answers. Pilate wants to know if Jesus is a threat to Rome or his authority in Judea. Pilate wants to know how to save an innocent man. And he also wants to know why an innocent man does not want to save himself. Jesus is very clear in who He is. "I am a King. My Kingdom is not of this world. I am here to reveal the truth. And everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." "What is truth?" And with that, Pilate dismisses the conversation and turns his attention elsewhere. To recognize truth is one thing. To act on truth is another. We are not so different from Pilate ~ "that which I do not want to do, I do. And that which I want to do, I do not."
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"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?" (John 18:26, ESV)
Have you ever wondered why John included this little bit of information in His Gospel? Actually, it is a lot of information. The number one reason anyone denies being associated with Jesus is fear. Peter had reason to be afraid. His Master had just been arrested. The one with authority over wind, waves, demons, sickness, and disease had been seized by authorities. Peter knew they were out to kill Jesus and probably to kill those associated with Him. Notice the mounting pressure with each question: "Aren't you one of His disciples?" The first is a servant girl by the door. What is to be afraid of there? He was fearful because she recognized who he was, a follower of Christ. Believers often hide in the crowd to not be noticed. The second time Peter denies Jesus, a group recognizes him by the fire. The threat level goes up as a small group recognizes him. But it is this third person that John informs us about that ups the seriousness of the threat. He is a servant of the High Priest and a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off. Now it was very personal, and the religious authorities would also be a threat to Peter. Each time Peter denies Jesus, he does so because of an increasing threat. What would it take to get you to deny Jesus? "Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)" (John 18:10, ESV)
Peter was keeping his word to Jesus from Matthew 26:35, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you. And all the disciples said the same." Yet as Peter drew his sword, his actions were in the shadow of Jesus' words, "I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." (Mt 26:34) How can one draw his sword to defend Jesus, cut off a man's ear, and, in the next moment, be found denying Jesus? Peter was an impulsive person. He often spoke before thinking and acted before contemplating the results of his actions. It is easy to get into 'the flesh' and forget what is spiritually happening around us. Jesus tried to help Peter, by bringing to his attention the need to be spiritually aware, but Peter still missed it. Often we are bold when in the presence of friends but tremble when in the presence of our accusers. Jesus recognized the pride in Peter and all of the disciples when they declared they would die for Him. But the reality was—He was there to die for them. Our actions and words are often like Peter's. Once spoken, those words and actions live in the shadow of Jesus' words. May Jesus' words become light to us so that we no longer live in the shadow of His word but in the light of what He has spoken. "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him." (Luke 22:42–43, ESV)
The thing most associated with Gethsemane is Jesus praying. People readily relate to having seen the picture of Jesus kneeling by a big rock, looking up, praying, and light shining down on him. What happened in Gethsemane changed everything. Yes, Jesus prayed, but what did Jesus receive? And just as important, what did the disciples, who slept and did not pray, not receive? A war was raging in Gethsemane. Jesus was in the fight of His life for our lives. Remember His words, "Let this cup pass from me—nevertheless not my will but yours be done." And remember how the disciples slept during this most significant transitional moment of the ages? Twice Jesus urges them to pray, once after waking them up in His darkest hour. His soul was in anguish. He sweats drops of blood while under such stress in prayer. He received something in prayer that the disciples missed because they slept. What did He find in Gethsemane that they did not? The answer is found in Hebrews 2:9. Jesus found grace to taste death for everyone. He received in prayer the grace needed to endure the cross. The disciples slept and did not find grace, and they were scattered. Don't let Gethsemane be just the place where Jesus prayed. Let it be where he found grace to taste death for you and me. "but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:32, ESV)
How often have we heard those words, "I am praying for you." Yet walk away wondering if they actually will. Or to bring this 'closer to home,' how often have we said, "I am praying for you.”, then forgotten to pray? Not Jesus! He said, "I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail!" Peter, having heard that Satan desired to sift him like wheat, is immediately encouraged by the words of Jesus. The uniqueness of this statement by Jesus is this: He knew by the Spirit that Satan was going to sift Peter. He knew that Peter's faith would be shaken in that sifting. And Jesus prayed, in advance, that Peter's faith would not fail. What Jesus received in praying for Peter was a word of wisdom (what Satan was up to in Peter's life) and a word of knowledge (what Peter would do when sifted.) Jesus prayed accordingly and saved Peter's life and ministry. Prayer is no small insignificant matter. If more people realized that their prayers made a difference, they would pray more intentionally more often. Prayer does not have to be a long strenuous effort. It can be as simple as one sentence, prayed in faith, the moment you declare, "I will pray for you." Think of the possibilities if you prayed with your spiritual eyes open, expecting to receive words of wisdom and knowledge regarding your family, work, and relationships. |
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