In John 18 the story of Jesus’ crucifixion begins to unfold in a garden where he often taught his disciples. Judas brings the officials and soldiers to arrest Jesus. Jesus is brave and boldly says that he is the one they are after. He doesn’t run as a coward would. His proclamation stuns the officials and they ask him again.
Peter is mad and cuts off a soldier’s ear with his sword. He probably would have continued with his sword if Jesus hadn’t stopped him. Jesus tells Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” Jesus is resolute on following God’s plan.
They bring him to Annas and then he sends them on to his son-in-law, the high priest, Caiaphas. They question Jesus about his disciples and his teachings. He then points them to the people He has taught. I do wonder what would these people say. I am sure the people who weren’t Pharisees or Jewish officials would have nothing but good things to say about Jesus. They didn’t like this answer and accused Jesus of being disrespectful. I love that Jesus stand up for himself here.
Because the Jews can’t have someone killed they get the Roman Governor to do it, except Pilate can’t find anything wrong with Jesus. Following a Passover custom Pilate asks the crowd which prisoner they want to release by asking, “Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?;” The crowd yells in reply, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!”
Jesus is sentenced to die. I found it interesting that they had a hard time pegging Jesus to a crime. Of course, He didn’t have any sin and they would find it difficult. I don’t really know the weight of blasphemy. If someone claimed that they were God today we would probably just laugh at them and say they were crazy. But Jesus had His teachings and signs and wonders to back up his claim. What would move people to want His death? We find out more in the next chapter, John 19.
John 19 is heavy and full how Jesus gave his life for us. I couldn’t wait and already started reading the next chapter.
I didn’t even mention Peter denying Jesus 3 times just like Jesus said he would. I definitely think it shows how human he was.
On to John 19…
