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John 18:36-40
Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."
Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no fault in Him at all.
"But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"
Then they all cried again, saying, "Not this Man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a robber.
Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no fault in Him at all.
"But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"
Then they all cried again, saying, "Not this Man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a robber.
It took me a long time to realise that Barabbas [meaning ‘son of a father’] represented myself before I was saved; that Barabbas — not just a thief, but a robber — is a fundamental essential in the Gospel story. If the Jews had said, “We are not choosing Barabbas. He’s a criminal. Jesus will have to go free despite our reservations”, where would we be? God’s plan of redemption would have ground to a halt right there, surely? Well, no it wouldn’t, because God would have had a Plan B, but this is yet another example of how God’s ways are not our ways
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
ISAIAH 55:8-9
Barabbas is the son of a father — in other words, he is like you and me, and while we may not be robbers — a robber might use violence, or the threat of it, a thief does not — the capacity is in each one of us to be so, whether we like it or not. It is in our nature.
Jesus was — is — a man of peace, love and compassion, and so the choice before the assembly was someone like Jesus, or someone like us, that we know and comprehend. The wrong choice for sure, but an understandable and indeed forgivable one. Forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice, says Jesus. Pilate’s response of ‘what is truth?’ reveals a man of no conviction or philosophy, someone who can allow much for the sake of expediency and ‘getting the job done’. Jesus was now in his ‘out tray’ and a problem solved. Pilate passed the problem back to those who had the problem, allowing them to decide. In this way — by the condemning of Jesus to death on the cross — the sinner Barabbas was saved by grace.
Jesus was — is — a man of peace, love and compassion, and so the choice before the assembly was someone like Jesus, or someone like us, that we know and comprehend. The wrong choice for sure, but an understandable and indeed forgivable one. Forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice, says Jesus. Pilate’s response of ‘what is truth?’ reveals a man of no conviction or philosophy, someone who can allow much for the sake of expediency and ‘getting the job done’. Jesus was now in his ‘out tray’ and a problem solved. Pilate passed the problem back to those who had the problem, allowing them to decide. In this way — by the condemning of Jesus to death on the cross — the sinner Barabbas was saved by grace.
Meditate On These Things
EPHESIANS 2:4-10
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
not of works, lest anyone should boast.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
not of works, lest anyone should boast.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
BARABBAS — Greenbrier
A HOLY PROMISE: Oswald Chambers on HOPE
— In Doubt: Hope in GOD --
THERE ARE THINGS God tells us to do without any light or illumination other than just the word of His command, and if we do not obey, it is because we are independently strong enough to wriggle out of obeying. All God's commands are enablings; therefore, it is a crime to be weak in His strength.
[from ‘Not Knowing Whither’]
[from ‘Not Knowing Whither’]
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John 18:28-36
Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. Pilate then went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this Man?"
They answered and said to him, "If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you."
Then Pilate said to them, "You take Him and judge Him according to your law."
Therefore the Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death," that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.
Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?"
Jesus answered him, "Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?"
Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You 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 fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."
They answered and said to him, "If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you."
Then Pilate said to them, "You take Him and judge Him according to your law."
Therefore the Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death," that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.
Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?"
Jesus answered him, "Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?"
Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You 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 fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."
The ‘Praetorium’ is sometimes translated as ‘judgement hall’, although it was the residence of the local Procurator or governor of a Roman province. John lays out for us clearly, the religiosity and legalism which has bound the players in this tragedy; a tragedy which is also a glorious outworking of God’s plan.
Everything is according to the Law. But whose law? Roman law? Jewish law? What is on trial here is God’s law, and no one but Jesus seems to know what that is — despite what should be great learning and consideration by others involved. But then, they did not have the tools to judge correctly, or rather chose to go with tradition and religious form, blinding themselves to truth and life.
What is hard to accept for us with faith today, is that we too can be drawn to form and tradition — we like the comfort of the familiar and the tried and tested. This is a barrier to hearing the Holy Spirit’s guidance with clarity — His kingdom is not of this world — and each who knows Him has been chosen to enter; but it is a process, a learning requiring an abandonment to Jesus Christ. Giving up our right to ourselves is difficult to deal with, even although we have no such right — we have been bought at a price.
Jesus shows us the way, and it requires taking a stand against forces that do not understand Him. We are not from around here either. The question I must ask myself is, will I remain sitting, or will I stand?
Everything is according to the Law. But whose law? Roman law? Jewish law? What is on trial here is God’s law, and no one but Jesus seems to know what that is — despite what should be great learning and consideration by others involved. But then, they did not have the tools to judge correctly, or rather chose to go with tradition and religious form, blinding themselves to truth and life.
What is hard to accept for us with faith today, is that we too can be drawn to form and tradition — we like the comfort of the familiar and the tried and tested. This is a barrier to hearing the Holy Spirit’s guidance with clarity — His kingdom is not of this world — and each who knows Him has been chosen to enter; but it is a process, a learning requiring an abandonment to Jesus Christ. Giving up our right to ourselves is difficult to deal with, even although we have no such right — we have been bought at a price.
Jesus shows us the way, and it requires taking a stand against forces that do not understand Him. We are not from around here either. The question I must ask myself is, will I remain sitting, or will I stand?
Meditate On These Things
1 PETER 2:9-12
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
NOT OF THIS WORLD — Petra
A HOLY PROMISE: Oswald Chambers on HOPE
— In Doubt: Hope in GOD --
IF A MAN will resign himself in implicit trust to the Lord Jesus. he will find that He leads the wayfaring soul into the green pastures and beside the still waters, so that even when he goes through the dark valley of the shadow of some staggering episode, he will fear no evil. Nothing in life or death, time or eternity, can stagger that soul from the certainty of the Way for one moment
[from ‘The Place Of Help’]
[from ‘The Place Of Help’]
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John 18:25-27
Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, "You are not also 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 him whose ear Peter cut off, said, "Did I not see you in the garden with Him?"
Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.
One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, "Did I not see you in the garden with Him?"
Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.
We already know that the other Gospel writers tell of Peter’s denials in differing ways. Matthew has Peter cursing and swearing in his third denial. Mark simply tells the story, but with the additional information that Peter wept. Luke (see below), has The Lord there with Peter to hear the denial. John merely reports the fact of Jesus’ word being fulfilled — immediately a rooster crowed.
The way in which John tells of this event draws us to see Peter’s denials at the same moment as Jesus entered His final hours, but whereas the other Gospels record that Peter wept bitterly, John does not mention anything of Peter’s feelings. The plain fact is that Jesus predicted the denials and that was shown to be the case. Move onwards.
What we can see in these writings is that John’s approach is to focus on the spiritual and not on the natural, unless the spiritual is revealed thereby. What we are shown here is a comparison between Jesus and Peter in how each behaves in the face of a stressful event. Later events both in John, The Acts of The Apostles and in Peter’s epistles, show us that Peter became the rock on which Jesus would build His church.
I believe that in these three short verses, we see the turning point for Peter. Immediately the rooster crowed galvanised him out of his fearfulness into seeing again the truth that Jesus had spoken — the realisation of a new day heralded, the fulfilment of something immense and eternally significant.
For us it is a powerful reminder, that despite a complete denial of Christ, in word or deed, the Lord’s promise of salvation, forgiveness and redemption is as everlasting as the life He gives, and His life in each of us is what transforms us into overcomers, taking us on to perfection. Our Lord is with us!
The way in which John tells of this event draws us to see Peter’s denials at the same moment as Jesus entered His final hours, but whereas the other Gospels record that Peter wept bitterly, John does not mention anything of Peter’s feelings. The plain fact is that Jesus predicted the denials and that was shown to be the case. Move onwards.
What we can see in these writings is that John’s approach is to focus on the spiritual and not on the natural, unless the spiritual is revealed thereby. What we are shown here is a comparison between Jesus and Peter in how each behaves in the face of a stressful event. Later events both in John, The Acts of The Apostles and in Peter’s epistles, show us that Peter became the rock on which Jesus would build His church.
I believe that in these three short verses, we see the turning point for Peter. Immediately the rooster crowed galvanised him out of his fearfulness into seeing again the truth that Jesus had spoken — the realisation of a new day heralded, the fulfilment of something immense and eternally significant.
For us it is a powerful reminder, that despite a complete denial of Christ, in word or deed, the Lord’s promise of salvation, forgiveness and redemption is as everlasting as the life He gives, and His life in each of us is what transforms us into overcomers, taking us on to perfection. Our Lord is with us!
Meditate On These Things
LUKE 22:60-62
But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!" Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."
So Peter went out and wept bitterly.
But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!" Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."
So Peter went out and wept bitterly.
YET NOT I BUT THROUGH CHRIST IN ME — CityAlight
A HOLY WALK: Oswald Chambers on FAITH
— What God says about THE WORLD --
WHENEVER YOU MEET with difficulties, whether they are intellectual, circumstantial, or physical, remain loyal to God. Don't compromise. If you do, everyone around you will suffer from your faithlessness, because you are disloyal to Jesus Christ and His way of looking at things.
[from ‘The Place of Help’]
[from ‘The Place of Help’]
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John 18:19-24
The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.
Jesus answered him, "I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said."
And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, "Do You answer the high priest like that?"
Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?"
Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Jesus answered him, "I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said."
And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, "Do You answer the high priest like that?"
Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?"
Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
In verse 15, we learn that another disciple went into the courtyard of the High Priest with Jesus, while Peter wished to remain outside. However, this other disciple — who it is reasonable to assume was John himself — encouraged Peter to come into the courtyard, but on entering, Peter denied Jesus to the servant girl at the door. John was a believing witness to the cross-examination in the High Priest’s house to which Jesus was subjected. Indeed, only John tells the story in this way, and it has the feel of an eye-witness account that the other Gospel writers do not have.
John intercuts between Peter in the courtyard and Jesus before the High Priest Annas in a most dramatic way — giving us a simultaneous presentation of the fulfilment of Jesus’ prophecy of Peter’s denial, as Jesus was being struck by one of the officers. A double blow indeed. Even today when someone betrays us in some way, we say “Well, that was a slap in the face!”
But all through this trial, Jesus remains level, reasoned and calm. Indeed it is His confidence in the face of questioning, which appears to provoke the officer’s attack. “I spoke openly to the world.” “Why do you ask me?” “Why do you strike me?” These are the responses of someone with authority.
While the other Gospel writers tell this story as a show trial before the Sanhedrin — with Caiaphas rending his clothes in fury, which may be seen as a prefiguring of the veil in the temple tearing in two at the crucifixion — John’s telling seems low key in comparison, but all the more telling for that. It may be that in sending Jesus bound to Caiaphas, there would be a gathering of the Sanhedrin as we read elsewhere, but John tells us nothing of that. The point has been made; the religious order will have none of what they consider to be Jesus’ blasphemy.
The disciples knew exactly what Jesus had said to them, signifying by what death He would die.
John intercuts between Peter in the courtyard and Jesus before the High Priest Annas in a most dramatic way — giving us a simultaneous presentation of the fulfilment of Jesus’ prophecy of Peter’s denial, as Jesus was being struck by one of the officers. A double blow indeed. Even today when someone betrays us in some way, we say “Well, that was a slap in the face!”
But all through this trial, Jesus remains level, reasoned and calm. Indeed it is His confidence in the face of questioning, which appears to provoke the officer’s attack. “I spoke openly to the world.” “Why do you ask me?” “Why do you strike me?” These are the responses of someone with authority.
While the other Gospel writers tell this story as a show trial before the Sanhedrin — with Caiaphas rending his clothes in fury, which may be seen as a prefiguring of the veil in the temple tearing in two at the crucifixion — John’s telling seems low key in comparison, but all the more telling for that. It may be that in sending Jesus bound to Caiaphas, there would be a gathering of the Sanhedrin as we read elsewhere, but John tells us nothing of that. The point has been made; the religious order will have none of what they consider to be Jesus’ blasphemy.
The disciples knew exactly what Jesus had said to them, signifying by what death He would die.
Meditate On These Things
JOHN 12:27-33
"Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name."
Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again."
Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him."
Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.
Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."
This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
"Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name."
Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again."
Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him."
Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.
Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."
This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
I HEARD THE VOICE OF JESUS SAY — Hymns of Grace
A HOLY WALK: Oswald Chambers on FAITH
— What God says about THE WORLD --
EVERY TIME YOU venture out in the life of faith, you will find something in your common-sense circumstances that flatly contradicts your faith. Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual. Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense contradicts Him?
[from ‘My Utmost For His Highest’]
[from ‘My Utmost For His Highest’]
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John 18:15-18
And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, "You are not also one of this Man's disciples, are you?"
He said, "I am not."
Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.
He said, "I am not."
Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.
Have you ever felt distanced from Jesus, shut out from His presence? Maybe feeling fearful that He is not what you thought He would be? He promised so much, but He seems to be weak and failing now? If you don’t feel this way on occasions, then maybe you have misunderstood Him. I feel sure that Peter was doubting all he believed at this point. Here is Jesus — is he really King of Kings and Lord of Lords?* — in the Temple, being tried and humiliated by respected men of religion. Jesus performs miracles of healing; He has raised Lazarus from death, and yet they treat Him as a criminal. Maybe it was all deception.
Peter’s doubt keeps him at the door outside the Temple. He has cut himself off and his confidence in Jesus has deserted him. And now he finds himself denying to a young servant girl attending the door that he was ever with Jesus. What was that about being a doorkeeper in the House of The Lord?
It seems to me that we all come here. I certainly have. I have turned away from Jesus, forgetting that I am a temple for the indwelling Spirit and now seeking comfort in earthly things. I stand with others in the world and warm myself in their company, oblivious to the impermanence of the comfort they offer, compared to the eternal comfort I once thought I had.
At times like this we must remember that Jesus said it would be so. He knew what was in man**. And furthermore, He said this to Peter: And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.*** Did Jesus speak amiss? Never. Peter was not cast out of The Kingdom, and nor shall we be, if we return to Him repentant.
Peter’s doubt keeps him at the door outside the Temple. He has cut himself off and his confidence in Jesus has deserted him. And now he finds himself denying to a young servant girl attending the door that he was ever with Jesus. What was that about being a doorkeeper in the House of The Lord?
It seems to me that we all come here. I certainly have. I have turned away from Jesus, forgetting that I am a temple for the indwelling Spirit and now seeking comfort in earthly things. I stand with others in the world and warm myself in their company, oblivious to the impermanence of the comfort they offer, compared to the eternal comfort I once thought I had.
At times like this we must remember that Jesus said it would be so. He knew what was in man**. And furthermore, He said this to Peter: And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.*** Did Jesus speak amiss? Never. Peter was not cast out of The Kingdom, and nor shall we be, if we return to Him repentant.
* 1 Timothy 6:15
** John 2:25
*** Matthew 16:18
** John 2:25
*** Matthew 16:18
Meditate On These Things
2 CORINTHIANS 7:5-7
For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.
For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.
AT YOUR FEET (A PRAYER OF REPENTANCE) — Casting Crowns
A HOLY WALK: Oswald Chambers on FAITH
— What God says about THE WORLD --
THE ONLY RECOGNITION you will have in the eyes of the world as My disciples, says Jesus, is that "you will be hated for My name's sake." That is why we need to be knit together with those of like faith; and that is the meaning of the Christian Church.
[from ‘Approved Unto God’]
[from ‘Approved Unto God’]
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John 18:10-14
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 the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?"
Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
So Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?"
Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
The servants name was Malchus. You would think — given a moments thought — that this information was irrelevant, why give the man’s name, when no other of the officers and troops were accorded such consideration? The reason that any name is given in scripture is because it has a bearing on the truth, and Malchus has a name meaning king or kingdom. Immediately Malchus becomes more than relevant; he becomes essential, and we see why Jesus reprimanded the impetuous Peter for cutting off poor Malchus’s right ear.
The symbolism — indeed Jesus’ message to us all here — is of forgiveness and of not putting a barrier to another’s hearing of the kingdom. Do we, by our actions, prevent another from hearing the kingdom message? By ‘standing up for Jesus’, do we get in the way of what our Lord is saying, or doing?
Jesus says "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?" — in other words, ‘do not get in the way of My work.’ We must let Jesus Christ have His way. His way is not our way; but His way gets results.
Matthew 26:52-54 says But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?"
Mark 14:47-48 says Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."
Luke 22:51-53 says But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this." And He touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."
At this point, both Matthew and Mark report that the disciples forsook Jesus and fled. We can see that, had Peter’s bold action succeeded in whatever the purpose was, it would have put an obstacle in the way of the plan of God. The allusion is that Peter was frustrating the hearing of the truth of the kingdom message, potentially frustrating Jesus’ purpose. But as we see, The Lord’s will prevails in all circumstances. We must not stand in the way of another hearing about the Kingdom of God, lest they say ‘Shall I not drink the cup which my Father has given me?’
The symbolism — indeed Jesus’ message to us all here — is of forgiveness and of not putting a barrier to another’s hearing of the kingdom. Do we, by our actions, prevent another from hearing the kingdom message? By ‘standing up for Jesus’, do we get in the way of what our Lord is saying, or doing?
Jesus says "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?" — in other words, ‘do not get in the way of My work.’ We must let Jesus Christ have His way. His way is not our way; but His way gets results.
Matthew 26:52-54 says But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?"
Mark 14:47-48 says Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."
Luke 22:51-53 says But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this." And He touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."
At this point, both Matthew and Mark report that the disciples forsook Jesus and fled. We can see that, had Peter’s bold action succeeded in whatever the purpose was, it would have put an obstacle in the way of the plan of God. The allusion is that Peter was frustrating the hearing of the truth of the kingdom message, potentially frustrating Jesus’ purpose. But as we see, The Lord’s will prevails in all circumstances. We must not stand in the way of another hearing about the Kingdom of God, lest they say ‘Shall I not drink the cup which my Father has given me?’
Meditate On These Things
EXODUS 15:26
… "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you."
MARK 4:22-23
For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
… "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you."
MARK 4:22-23
For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
HEAR THE CALL OF THE KINGDOM — Keith and Kristyn Getty
A HOLY WALK: Oswald Chambers on FAITH
— What God says about THE WORLD --
JEREMIAH HAD TO minister to a people who became worse and worse because he ministered to them. It is incorporated into us that we are to succeed for God. In the New Testament there is no such notion, only faithfulness to Jesus Christ. God has His own purposes which we do not know, and our purpose is to see that we remain steadfastly faithful to Him.
[from ‘Notes on Jeremiah’]
[from ‘Notes on Jeremiah’]
Listen to this meditation by clicking below…
- Published on
John 18:1-11
When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?"
They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth."
Jesus said to them, "I am He." And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground.
Then He asked them again, "Whom are you seeking?"
And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."
Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way," that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none."
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 the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?"
They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth."
Jesus said to them, "I am He." And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground.
Then He asked them again, "Whom are you seeking?"
And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."
Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way," that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none."
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 the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?"
‘Whom are you seeking?’ asks Jesus, and the answer comes back from the troops and officers of the chief priests and Pharisees, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Seek,and you will find, report Matthew and Luke, and we must be aware that we are not seeking a thing, but a person — and a very specific person. Not a Jesus, or one like Jesus, but Jesus of Nazareth in particular.
For a number of days now, I have been puzzling over why we can so often disagree amongst ourselves about Jesus. After all, that differing viewpoint seems to be at the root of the denominational church system. It seems to me that each church clings to their own view (or their founding fathers' view) of who Jesus was, and each one of us has a personal view of our personal Saviour. We all worship the same Jesus, but with our own image of Him in mind. In reality, we should be looking to the Jesus that Jesus Himself said He was — Jesus of Nazareth.
The troops and officers were careful to ensure that they apprehended the right man, and we should do the same. Only if we apprehend Jesus of Nazareth can He lead us ‘through The Cross of Calvary’ into Resurrection Life, for He is so much more than a personal saviour — He is Jesus of Nazareth, ‘Jehovah is salvation’ and ‘one separated.’ There is no other, so He is not the Jesus I create or imagine Him to be, or that another might favour, He is one and the same for all who believe.
He is not ‘my Jesus’, rather I am His brother, and Him I must seek and know.
For a number of days now, I have been puzzling over why we can so often disagree amongst ourselves about Jesus. After all, that differing viewpoint seems to be at the root of the denominational church system. It seems to me that each church clings to their own view (or their founding fathers' view) of who Jesus was, and each one of us has a personal view of our personal Saviour. We all worship the same Jesus, but with our own image of Him in mind. In reality, we should be looking to the Jesus that Jesus Himself said He was — Jesus of Nazareth.
The troops and officers were careful to ensure that they apprehended the right man, and we should do the same. Only if we apprehend Jesus of Nazareth can He lead us ‘through The Cross of Calvary’ into Resurrection Life, for He is so much more than a personal saviour — He is Jesus of Nazareth, ‘Jehovah is salvation’ and ‘one separated.’ There is no other, so He is not the Jesus I create or imagine Him to be, or that another might favour, He is one and the same for all who believe.
He is not ‘my Jesus’, rather I am His brother, and Him I must seek and know.
Meditate On These Things
MATTHEW 13:45-46
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
DEUTERONOMY 4:27-30
And the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the LORD will drive you. And there you will serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the LORD your God and obey His voice
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
DEUTERONOMY 4:27-30
And the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the LORD will drive you. And there you will serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the LORD your God and obey His voice
SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD — CRC Worship
A HOLY OCCUPATION: Oswald Chambers on PRAYER
— requires CHILDLIKENESS--
THERE IS ONLY one kind of person who can really pray, and that is the childlike saint, the simple, stupid, supernatural child of God; I do mean "stupid." Immediately you try to explain why God answers prayer on the ground of reason, it is nonsense; God answers prayer on the ground of redemption and no other ground.
[from ‘If Ye Shall Ask’]
[from ‘If Ye Shall Ask’]