Innocence

N.T.#799 "Innocence" 

May 18, 2026 

John 18-Part 6

LET IT GLOW 

The first two trials of Jesus were before Annas and then before Caiaphas. If you missed the information about those, read previous posts.

Today, we will discuss the third trial of Jesus was before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council. (verse 28) Those men had to hurry to get together for this illegal session during the night. The Sanhedrin was a type of supreme court of Israel with 71 members. The high priest presided over it. They met daily in the Temple to hold court, except for Sabbaths and holy days. However, they did not have the power to administer capital punishment. The Sanhedrin could not find a charge against Jesus to indict Him. (False witnesses could not agree among themselves.)

LET IT GROW 

The fourth trial of Jesus was before Pilate, governor of Judea. What are the highlights of this trial?

• "Are you the King of the Jews?" Pilate asked Jesus. (verse 33)
• Then Jesus asked Pilate if he was saying this on his own initiative or if others told him about Jesus. 
• Pilate said it was the Jews who brought Jesus there before him. 
• Jesus anwered that His kingdom was not of this world, and if it was, His servants would be fighting to prevent this. 
• So You are a king?
• You say it correctly that I am a king. 
• I was born for this and bear witness of the truth. 
• What is truth?
• Pilate told the Jews he found no guilt in Jesus.
• The Jews custom was to release someone for you at the Passover.
• Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?
• They said not Jesus, but Barabbas, a robber.

What a trial! The governor found no fault in Jesus, but the Jews would not accept this. They wanted to get rid of Jesus and have Him killed. How sad! Jesus was innocent of all charges. He is the King of the Jews, though.

LET IT GO

When our trials come, Jesus give us strength to endure and honor You.

When Trials Come

 N.T.#798 "When Trials Come"

May 15, 2026 

John 18-Part 5

LET IT GLOW 

Trial #1-Jesus was before Annas the former high priest. 

Trial #2-Jesus went before Caiaphas, the present high priest. He asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. (verse 19)

What happened next?

• Peter wasn't trying to fit in around the fire in the courtyard, but he didn't want to stand out either. He ended up denying Jesus three times. (verses 15-18) 
• Caiaphas was interested in the number of disciples Jesus had. Jesus had taught openly, not secretively. 
• Jesus asked him to produce witnesses for Him. Failure to produce them would have made this trial illegal.
• One of the officers struck Jesus on the palm of His hand, accusing Him of disrespect or evil.

Did you notice that Jesus stood His ground of innocence? Do our actions look like we don't know Jesus?

LET IT GROW 

Trial #3-Jesus went before the Sanhedrin, into the Hall of judgment and the governor's place of residence. The Jews didn't enter a gentile's quarters. They were more interested in ceremonial purity than justice. Pilate asked what Jesus was accused of doing. (verse 29) They would not have brough a person to Pilate if they had not been an evildoer. 

How did Pilate react to this scheme of the Jews? He told the Jews to take Jesus and judge Him according to their law. Pilate didn't know they wanted to kill Jesus. The Jews couldn't legally execute anyone. They wanted Pilate to pass the death sentence upon Jesus.(vere 31)

Do you see how this procedure was illegal?  

When trials come, are we strong in our faith in Jesus?

LET IT GO

Commit to following Jesus no matter what.

When on Trial

N.T.#797 "When on Trial"

May 14, 2026 

John 18-Part 4

LET IT GLOW 

Can you picture this: The soldiers pulled Jesus' arms behind His neck and placed them in irons or binding them tightly with a rope. During His ordeal, we assume He remained bound with a noose around His neck.

Then Jesus was taken to the highest Jewish power in Israel, Annas, for the first of 6 trials:

1, They took Jesus to Annas (the father in law to Caiaphas). He was previously a high priest and had a great influence over the Sanhedrin. It was like a preliminary examination. Annas would then give his advice to Caiaphas about Christ's destiny. It was up a hill to the residence of Annas and around 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning. According to Jewish law, the office of a high priest was held for life. Many still considered Annas their high priest. Yet, Caiaphas made the final decisions. The office of high priesthood was generally handed down through the family, so it was not uncommon for them to collaborate in carrying out the functions of the office.

Those religious leaders were evil and more concerned with their political ambitions than leading people to God. They should have known Jesus to be the Messiah according to Scriptures. 

This gave time for the Sanhedrin members to hurry and gather together for a trial so early in the morning. This was illegal in the Jewish laws, though. Trials were not to occur on the eve of a Sabbath or during festivals, either. All trials were to be public and held in the Hall of Judgment in the temple area. 

LET IT GROW

The disciples scattered immediately after the arrest in the garden. (Matt. 26:56) Peter and John returned to follow the Lord's movements from a safe distance. John was permitted inside to watch. John's family wealth and social status may have had an influence on Annas.

Peter entered the great hall of Annas' residence, the doorkeeper recognized him as a disciple. Then the first denial of Peter knowing Jesus around the fire, one of three, occurred as Jesus predicted. (13:38)

[Resources: Liberty Bible Commentary; Swindoll's New Testament Insights on John; Life Application Study Bible]

We know how this ends for Jesus-death on the cross. Keep in mind, He did this because Jesus loves you and me. He took our punishment for our sins. Do you trust Him to be your Savior?

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LET IT GO

No matter what comes our way, Jesus has already won it. Trust Him, He's got this.

Jesus knows what it is like to be on trial for doing good. 

We turn to You, Precious Jesus, for strength and comfort.; fix our eyes on You.

Help us face tomorrow, for it is in Your hands.

You will provide what we need.

Jumping Ahead

N.T.#796"Jumping Ahead"

May 13, 2026 

John 18-Part 3 

LET IT GLOW 

What did spontaneous Peter do?

He drew his sword, then he chopped off the right ear of the servant to the high priest, whose name was Malchus. Wow Peter! Are you in trouble! There were 600 soldiers that morning in the Garden and you do this? 

Jesus came to Peter's rescue-Put up your sword. The cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink from it? (verse 11)

Did Peter intend to kill the man by splitting his head open? Malchus dodged the sword at the last moment, only loosing an ear. 

Jesus' cup was one of suffering and agony on the cross. He took our place for punishment of our sins. What love!

LET IT GROW

Allow God's plan to unfold. It's tempting to take matters into our own hands, to force the issue. Most often such moves lead to sin. We must trust God to work out His plan. 

Had Peter had his way, Jesus would not have gone to the cross, and God's plan of redemption would have been thwarted. However, Jesus touched the man's ear and healed him. (Luke 22:51) Then Jesus rebuked Peter for acting like an unbeliever and failing to see God's plan unfolding. 

Do we often jump ahead and try to solve a problem before we allow God to work it out? 

LET IT GO

Forgive when it is easy and forgive when it hurts.

Love unconditionally. 

Surrender to God's plan.

LET IT GO

Whom Do You Seek?

N.T. #795 "Whom Do You Seek?"

May 12, 2026 

John 18-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

We left Jesus and His 11 disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. The disciples had fallen asleep and Jesus went to the gate when a crowd showed up. What happened next?

• A group of 600 soldiers, high priests, Judas, and Pharisees who came to the garden. (verse4)
• Jesus asked, "Whom seek ye?"
• Their answer was, "Jesus of Nazareth." 

This is the name that appeared on the official arrest warrant issued by the Sanhedrin and the Roman government. (Falwell)

How did Jesus answer? "I am He." (verse 5) He calmly answered and did not try to escape. Jesus stated His deity, as in 8:58. Perhaps the 600 soldiers too their position in defense, preparing for resistance and a fight. They were frightened by a single rabbi and His 11 followers? Only 1 had a weapon-Peter.

What happened as soon as Jesus said His identity? They went backward and fell to the ground. The enemies of God shrank before the presence of the Almighty. 

Who do we seek? Who do we consider the One that can change hearts and lives? Jesus.

LET IT GROW

On numerous occasions, Jesus demonstrated the moral power that was His as the Son of God. Here, those men were struck by the power of Jesus' words. (David Jeremiah)

Jesus is no mere man. He's the God-man. He's the Word who was with God, was God, and became flesh. (1:1, 14) Jesus spoke the divine name using the same voice that had spoken the world into existence. And it knocked the betrayer and his accomplices off their feet.  (Tony Evans)

Again, Jesus asked who they sought, Jesus of Nazareth was their answer again, and He answered, " I am He." This time, though, Jesus added, Let these go their way. (verse 8) 

John said it was so it might be fulfilled that Jesus said, Of them which thou gavest Me have I lost none. (6:39; 17:12)

When Jesus intervenes to protect you, His intervention is always effective. (Evans)

LET IT GO

Nothing matters when we stand before a Holy, Almighty God. None of us are righteous, no not one.

Will we stand in His presence or to our knees will we fall?

Will we fall on our face and tremble?

It is better to bow before Almighty God now and confess our sins then ask His forgiveness than to stand before the Righteous Judge.

Which will it be, my friend?

Betrayed

N.T.#794 "Betrayed"

May 11, 2026 

John 18  

LET IT GLOW

Have you ever been betrayed? It is such a deep pain that it paralyzes you emotionally. Jesus knew that pain, for one of His disciples betrayed Him. 

They came to take Him away. Jesus took His 11 disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. They went there frequently for a place of seclusion where Jesus prayed. Judas led the band of 600 soldiers, chief priests, and Pharisees to where Jesus was. 

They came with torches to take the Light of the world (Jesus) with weapons to arrest the Prince of Peace. Since Jesus knows all things, He expected this, for Jesus went to the location where He knew Judas could find Him. 

One of His own disciples betrayed Him early that morning-Judas. 

Are we prepared for people to betray us? I doubt it. Usually it is so unexpected that someone we trust and maybe love would do such a thing. It is unimaginable that they would hurt us so deeply that we are shocked. And sometimes they even lie about it. 

LET IT GROW 

Jesus was completely aware of Judas' plan. Judas sold out information as to where Jesus was for 30 pieces of silver. Maybe he knew what the group's intentions were or maybe not. At any rate, Judas lived to regret it, they killed himself. The group was intending to kill the Messiah Jesus Christ.

Did you notice that Jesus didn't run and hide when the group came looking for Him? Jesus went to the gate to meet the crowd. It was at this point that Judas kissed the Master in order to indicate His identity. (Matt. 26:49)

We can meet evil head on with Jesus beside us. Be of good cheer, Jesus has overcome the world. (16:33)

LET IT GO

Keep the faith.

Love our enemies.

Turn the other cheek.

Trust God.

 

Peace

N.T.#792 "Peace"

May 7, 2026 

John 16-Part 4

I have overcome the world. (verse 33)

LET IT GLOW 

Going through a tough time? You can have peace. Read on to find out how.

As the time for Jesus' cross quickly approached, He stated that the disciples would scatter then. Peter and John would watch from the background. Others would run for their lives. Basically, everyone would be afraid for their own life and leave Jesus alone. (Yet, He was not alone since the Father was with Him.) (verse 32)

Jesus was sent from the Father, is in the Father, and would return to the Father. The Son and the Father are one. (Tony Evans)

It was all in God's plan in order to provide salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Isn't it easy to have strong faith whenever we aren't challenged? It's easy to declare our faith in God while among Christians in church. It's harder to live it out in the world, surrounded by unbelievers. 

LET IT GROW 

Jesus wasn't telling His guys to fill them with fear, but so they might have peace in Him. (verse 33) We can't know if we truly have peace until conflict strikes. A Christian's peace is found in our connection to Jesus Christ based on His work. (Evans)

How can we courageous and faithful, with peace during tribulation? 

Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (verse 33c)

The world may beat us down, but we can live with bold faith because Jesus is the sovereign King over the world. He has defeated sin, Satan, and death. Amen!

Jesus can overrule our earthly circumstances. So we must abide in Him and His Word and Spirit abide in us. Surrender to God's will keeps us in His will. 

Jesus accepted the disciples' statement of faith, even though He knew what lay ahead for them. We know their words and lives soon matched as they grew in faith, even to the point of death. Jesus takes us through the same process. 

How well are we living out what we say and believe about Jesus?

LET IT GO 

Help us deny our self, take up our cross, and follow You, King Jesus.

Show us we are not alone in our struggles, Lord.

Bless us with Your peace today.

To You be the glory forever.