Daily Devotion: John 18

The High Priest questions Jesus

²⁰"I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. ²¹Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."

²²When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded.

Jesus before Pilate

³¹Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." "But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected.

³⁹But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?"

⁴⁰They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.

As I read this very sad part of the scripture, I just couldn't comprehend how barbaric, ignorant, insecure and "stupid" the Jews have become! It seemed that there was no room for discussion or to hear any petitions regarding Jesus... they were just bent on condemning Jesus to be sentenced to death.

Yes, it may have been instigated by the Pharisees, but the rest simple follow suit because they were either:

1. Blinded as well - swayed in by the Pharisees explanations.

2. Couldn't accept the radical and hard truth teaching from Jesus (found it an abomination to their customary law - in our case today is logic)

3. Crowd follower who didn't want to get into trouble with the Pharisees.

There came a tipping point where they chose to harden their heart and decided against Jesus.

How about us today? In our faith journey with Him, do we do our best to trust and rely on Jesus? Or are we easily swayed and influenced by the non-believing friends and people around us? Have we 'rejected' Jesus because of some biblical `hard teachings that we cannot accept taught forth by the Church or leaders?

Application:

1. Evaluate our Christian life honestly and ask ourselves, "How are we behaving as a Christian in front of our non-believing friends and family members?" Do we hold back, compromise or are bold to live out as a Christian?

2. It is always easy to just be a crowd follower and be socially accepted by people around us. But it takes true guts to stand up for what we believe in. Why is it that at times we do not dare to stand up for the truth in Christ? Is it because we don't believe in Jesus? Or we are more afraid of man?