John 18
Devotional by Kimberly Armstrong
Read John 18
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.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus 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.” 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.) 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
So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
Peter Denies Jesus
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, 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. 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.” Now the servants 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
The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 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. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 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?” 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?” Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Peter Denies Jesus Again
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.” 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?” Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
Jesus Before Pilate
Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. 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. So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 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.” 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
So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?”Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 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.” 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.” 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. 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?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.
Devotional
John 18 presents a clear distinction between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world as the actions of Jesus are contrasted with those of Peter and the Jews who want to kill Him. When Jesus is betrayed by Judas, Peter’s short-sightedness leads him to be a hindrance to God’s plans, but Jesus’ eternal perspective leads Him to willingly hand Himself over to His persecutors. When Jesus is taken to court, Peter hides from and denies any association with Him, while Jesus openly and truthfully speaks about His identity to His accusers. While the Jews are persistent in calling for the crucifixion of their God and Creator, Jesus is persistently willing to be the King who dies for His people.
From the many contrasts presented in this chapter, here are some Kingdom characteristics that can be gleaned:
- God’s Kingdom is an eternal one; therefore, those who are in His Kingdom have an eternal perspective on this Earth. (John 18:11)
- God is the source of truth; therefore, those in His Kingdom carry and believe in that truth. (John 18:20-21)
- In God’s Kingdom, Jesus is King, and anyone in His Kingdom is His servant. A King’s servants always follow and recognize the reign of their King. (John 18:17-18, 25-27, 36-37)
John 18 causes its readers to pause and reflect on which Kingdom they are a part of. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are in God’s Kingdom.
In what ways have I allowed the pleasures and problems of the world to make me short-sighted? How can I reframe my perspective so that I’m placing my hope in eternity with Jesus?
What powerful questions — I read this chapter and I’m reminded of the truth that the Lord has prepared a place for us in Heaven. This is also a reminder that Christ saved me for eternity’s sake and to, therefore, live this redeemed and restored life with Heaven in mind, setting my heart on things above and not on the things of this world.
Amen! Well spoken! I’m so happy that you followed God’s lead to come to Houston and CF! I love your singing and worship leading!
I totally agree with you Durell. I believe in the things in Heaven not if this world. This world has nothing for me. Praise the Lord and give Him glory.📖🕊✝🙏
Today, Father, in word or action may I not deny your Son, Jesus Christ.
And if you grant me tomorrow, may I be as focused.
In what ways have I allowed the pleasures and problems of the world to make me short-sighted? How can I reframe my perspective so that I’m placing my hope in eternity with Jesus?
Our time and focus on Earth should always be on accomplishing all our devotion to our Lord! Yes, it’s nice to be blessed with degrees, a successful career, and other blessings with accomplished goals. However, all that is worthless without salvation. Our ultimate goal is to serve our Lord and Saviour, and follow all his commandments while on this Earth. Being a shining example of His Word for all to see and being able to be in His Kingdom, is our ultimate goal in life. No other goal will suffice! Blessings to All!
The actions of Peter in this chapter are important to believers from that point until now. Jesus had told him about what he would do…deny him three times. Peter was adamant that he would not. Of course, we know that he did. The important part to come….Jesus forgave him.
One huge way for anyone to take the world’s side of the kingdom is through anxiety. God teaches us to always trust and have faith in him and we continue to be anxious about things that he’s already gone before us and blessed it. This is a great reminder to always remember which kingdom you believe in and if you’re fully believing in that kingdom and God. Let’s continue to trust in God eternally! Amen!
Over time, I have witnessed a decline in the world honoring and respecting Christianity . The messages are so subtle, making it easy to be deceived. We must remain focused on truth and share that truth with others. I look forward to the day when we will join Jesus in his Kingdom where we will never be faced with this conflict.
Through anxiety, worries and cares of worldly things. Things that certainly should be cared about, but through a perspective that comes from the kingdom of God from a place of victory not a place of fear Lord help me to reframe my perspective while I’m in this world and truly live from a place of victory and not from a place of fear thinking always at all times from that place of victory help me Lord I trust you help my Untrust I believe help my unbelief.
If I had been in Peter’s situation, I also would have denied my Lord & Savior Jesus the Christ. Before we think too poorly of Peter for his denial, we probably should keep in mind that the writers of the time attested to Peter being crucified for his faith in Jesus during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero.
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Lord, would you constantly refresh my sight/ perspective to be a Kingdom one? As I go through challenges on earth, please empower me to persevere and endure in Your strength. My citizenship is in Heaven and I praise Your Name for that! I’m forever grateful that I know You in my own heart, not just what others have told me about You. I praise You for being Truth. My Savior. My Redeemer.
We need to keep our focus on Jesus. He is the Light of the world. We need to strive to be Christlike in our attitudes and actions. The world needs Jesus, so we need to shine brightly for Him!
Help us to not get bogged down in the temporal, things that don’t last. Lord help us to focus on the truth of your word and eternity spent with you and in your presence. Help us to seek your face daily to recalibrate our priorities to those things that are important you. Help us to love you and others more each day. Amen 🙏🏾
In what ways have I allowed the pleasures and problems of the world to make me short-sighted? How can I reframe my perspective so that I’m placing my hope in eternity with Jesus?
Better question is that look at Jesus as the founder and perfecter of our faith and as mentioned in Hebrews 12:1-3 would help us understand on not being shortsighted on our walk with God and help us understand him on a God honoring scale and how we understand him.