https://esv.literalword.com/?q=john+18
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Wednesday, 10 April 2024:
John 18:10, 11 — 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?”
Many have used the story of Peter’s sword wielding to preach pacifism, but bear in mind that Peter had a sword, and Jesus knew it. Peter seeking to defend Jesus with his sword wasn’t the issue, it was that Peter sought to defend Jesus at the wrong time, for the wrong reasons, in the wrong way, against the will of God at the moment. In fact, In Luke 22:35-38, Jesus tells His disciples that if they lack swords they should buy them. Self-defense is a God-given right and responsibility which can’t be abrogated. However, when we are guided by our own misguided perceptions and ‘good intentions,’ rather than by God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, we can use even the Bible as a weapon to hurt ourselves and others inappropriately – “Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.” (Proverbs 26:9)
- 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 — For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
John 18:14 – It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
God’s way included Christ’s death for the sins of the people. God used ungodly people to fulfill His plan, and from a human perspective, it would appear Caiaphas had all the power and Jesus had none. Again, we must be careful not to judge people and circumstances apart from the reality of God’s perfect love, sovereignty, promises, and providence. If your God’s child, you need not worry about a thing.
John 18:15-18 – 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.
Pride and fear are opposite sides of the same coin. Pridefully, Peter was willing to fight in garden when it wasn’t appropriate, but, fearfully, he was not willing to stand up for Jesus in the courtyard when it was appropriate.
Disciples of Christ must be ready to deny self, take up their crosses, and follow Jesus. (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27) Jesus had previously warned overconfident Peter that he wasn’t there yet, but Peter did not believe Him. Here Peter faces the truth of himself which has been exposed, not by an attacking army but rather by a mere servant girl sitting at a campfire. It is in the little, seemingly insignificant moments that we reveal what we really believe about Jesus, in our conversations with others around ‘campfires,’ in our homes, in our workplaces, in the marketplace, in social settings, and on social media. While it may be true that actions often speak louder than words, don’t believe the popular lie that words are secondary. The true test of your courage is in how, as an ambassador for Christ, you purely proclaim the Gospel to others right where you are. Those of us who have failed to proclaim the Name of Jesus to others when we should have can find hope in the story of Peter who failed miserably but later went to the cross literally for Jesus.
John 18:27 – Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
Remember Jesus had said to Peter, “‘Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ Peter said to him, ‘Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!’” (Matthew 26:34, 35) Peter’s reaction after he denied Jesus is described in Mark 14:72: “And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.”
Have you ever felt the guilt of failing Jesus? Remember, Jesus knows your weaknesses better than you do. Your failures are not a surprise to Him. When you are tested, it is not so that God can see the truth of your sinful heart, it is so you can see it and recognize your dependence on God’s grace. God’s will in your failures is to bring you to humble repentance, to draw you closer to Him, to sanctify you, to conform you to the image of His Son, and to prepare you for greater faithful service in love. His goal is not to condemn you but to complete you – “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23 — Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Failure is a time to humbly and trustfully draw closer to Jesus, not further away in pride, shame or fear. Judas denied Jesus, couldn’t bring Himself to repent and accept the forgiveness of God, and killed himself. Conversely, Peter repented, accepted forgiveness, and was used mightily by God. Paul, formerly Saul who had made a career of persecuting Christians, repented and went to his death boldly proclaiming Christ and glorifying Him. Have confidence in grace and glorify God boldly.
John 18:33-37 – 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?”
Most people, including Christians, prefer the earthly kingdoms they can see over the Kingdom of God they cannot see. Someone once said, “In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.” In church, Christians often proclaim their ultimate allegiance to the KING of Kings and the Kingdom of God, but daily, in practical ways, the fear of man prevails in their lives. What has the greatest influence over you at the moment of decision? Every day, perhaps in seemingly small ways, we will take a side. And remember, silence is consent. When you choose to say or do nothing where sin is present, you have made a choice to capitulate.
Jesus’ kingdom does not depend upon politicians, political organizations, or political power.
John 18:37, 38 — “In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me”. “What is truth?” Pilate asked.
The truth is revealed through Jesus and Jesus alone. In fact, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Those who listen to Christ understand truth. Those outside of Christ, like Pilate, have no way to determine truth or to truly know God. Regardless their intellect or religiosity, they navigate without map and compass on a journey to nowhere. Jesus said that He came to testify to the truth. Jesus stayed true to the mission God gave Him until the end. Now that mission has been given to you. How are you doing? Don’t lose sight of the fact that your message is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not a message of ethics, morality, or better living. If the “truth” or “salvation” message you are proclaiming to others is about fixing their earthly problems rather than saving their souls, and if your message doesn’t start and end with Jesus, you are likely leading others astray. The B Bible says you are an Ambassador for Jesus, a Priest, and a Saint for the LORD on this earth. That is your purpose, your vocation, and your profession. So, how many times will you say the Name, Jesus to others today?
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 10 April 2024: Today, seek to follow God’s word and the conviction of the Holy Spirit rather than your mere perceptions and emotions. Trust God to do exactly what He says even though it may not appear to be expedient or profitable.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 