May 2 THIS IS MY FATHER’S WORLD Maltbie D. Babcock, 1858–1901 The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love. (Psalm 33:5) Even though we are constantly reminded of the violence, tragedy, and ugliness in today’s world, we can still rejoice that the beauty of nature all around is ours to enjoy. Who can deny the pleasure that comes from the sight of a glowing sunset or a majestic mountain, the sound of chirping birds or the roar of the surf, and the smell of new mown hay or roses or lilies. Maltbie D. Babcock revealed his great admiration for nature in this lovely hymn text. Although he was recognized as one of the outstanding Presbyterian ministers of his generation, Dr. Babcock was also a skilled athlete who enjoyed all outdoor activity, especially his early morning walks. He would always comment, “I’m going out to see my Father’s world.” Since Dr. Babcock was an accomplished performer on the organ, the piano and the violin, we can see why nature seemed to him to be “the music of the spheres.” In addition to being a tribute to nature, however, the hymn is a triumphant assertion of the unfailing power of God and the assurance of Christ’s eventual reign—“and earth and heav’n be one.” As we follow Dr. Babcock’s example and give praise to God for all the beauty of His world, we cannot help being concerned that much of the loveliness is being destroyed by human carelessness and greed. The real answer to our ecological problems must be a renewed appreciation of earth as “our Father’s world” and a greater responsibility for taking proper care of it. Christians should be models of this concern. This is my Father’s world, and to my list’ning ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father’s world! I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas—His hand the wonders wrought. This is my Father’s world—the birds their carols raise; the morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise. This is my Father’s world! He shines in all that’s fair; in the rustling grass I hear Him pass—He speaks to me ev’rywhere. This is my Father’s world—O let me ne’er forget that tho the wrong seems oft so strong God is the Ruler yet. This is my Father’s world! The battle is not done; Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and earth and heav’n be one.
Determine to cultivate a renewed awareness and appreciation of the marvels of God’s creation all around you. Endeavor to be even more responsible as a caretaker of your Father’s world. Sing this musical praise as you go—
May 1 THE SPACIOUS FIRMAMENT Joseph Addison, 1672–1719 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. (Psalm 19:1) The month of May is generally regarded as the most beautiful month of the year. March winds and April showers have done their work, and now the earth is attired in all of its God-given beauty. Of all people, Christians should be the most appreciative of God’s created world. Although we may never be able to understand fully and explain adequately all of the scientific details about creation, we can say with certainty, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth” (Apostles’ Creed); and with the writer of Hebrews, “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command” (Hebrews 11:3). The wonder of God’s spacious firmament should cause a flow of endless praise to our great Creator. The Bible teaches that man is without excuse for not knowing God. The Creator has revealed Himself at least partially in nature (Romans 1:19–21) as well as internally in the human conscience (Romans 1:32; 2:14, 15). The full revelation of God, however, is only realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ—“the radiance of God’s glory” (Hebrews 1:3). “The Spacious Firmament” was written by Joseph Addison—one of England’s outstanding writers. These verses were part of a larger essay titled “An Essay on the Proper Means of Strengthening and Confirming Faith in the Mind of Man.” Addison prefaced his work with the words: “The Supreme Being has made the best arguments for His own existence in the formation of the heavens and earth.” Addison’s poem first appeared in The Spectator newspaper in 1712. The spacious firmament on high, with all the blue, ethereal sky, and spangled heavens, a shining frame, their great Original proclaim: Th’ unwearied sun, from day to day, does his Creator’s pow’r display; and publishes to ev’ry land the work of an almighty hand. What though in solemn silence, all move round this dark terrestrial ball? What though no real voice nor sound amid their radiant orbs be found? In reason’s ear they all rejoice, and utter forth a glorious voice, forever singing as they shine, “The hand that made us is divine.”
Reflect again on the Genesis account of creation. Reaffirm your faith and confidence in God as the creator of this vast firmament. Determine to be more aware and appreciative of the many splendors of nature that we often take for granted. Consider this musical truth as you go—
” ’Simon son of John, do you truly love Me?’ He answered, ’Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.’ Jesus said, ’Take care of My sheep’ ” (John 21:16).Those who love Jesus are still responsible to care for His sheep.
Overview
The disciples went fishing, and Jesus joined them on shore (21:1–4). When they recognized Jesus, Peter leaped overboard and swam in his eagerness to reach Him (vv. 5–14). Jesus recommissioned Peter, questioning his love the same number of times Peter had earlier disowned Him (vv. 15–17). Jesus predicted Peter’s manner of death (vv. 18–19), but turned aside questions about John (vv. 20–23). John closed with an affirmation that his testimony about Jesus is true (vv. 24–25).
Understanding the Text
“I’m going out to fish” John 21:1–3.
In New Testament times fishing wasn’t a recreational activity. It was work. It was the profession followed by several of the disciples before Jesus called them. So there’s a question about Peter’s decision to go fishing. Was this planned as just a day’s activity? Or did he intend to return to his old profession? Actually, since the Resurrection Jesus had only appeared to the disciples two times (cf. v. 14). The disciples were obviously uncertain about their future. Were they to just wait for Jesus’ return in glory? If so, they had to do something in order to eat, didn’t they? The fact is that Jesus had very specific plans for the 11. They would never go back to live ordinary lives again. It’s like this for us too. When we meet Jesus, our lives change—forever. No, I don’t mean we should quit our jobs, and take up professional evangelism. I simply mean that our relationship with Jesus becomes the most important thing in our lives. We’ll keep on working, but work won’t be “ordinary” anymore. We’ll labor to the best of our ability, because we’ll be aware that honest work honors our Lord. We’ll continue to have the same relationships we had before. But those too will be changed. Now we’ll be far more sensitive, more concerned and loving. We’ll care about people who may not have been important to us as persons before. I don’t blame Peter for going back to his fishing. He wasn’t yet sure just what he was supposed to do. How wonderful that you and I are sure: we’re to serve Jesus and others in everything. And our lives will never be “ordinary” again. “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some” John 21:4–14. What’s the significance of the amazing catch of fish? John said both that the net was so full they couldn’t drag it in, and later that he counted 153 “large fish.” I suspect it served both as a sign of comfort, and as a promise. It was a comfort, because Jesus displayed no anger that His disciples had returned to their old trade. The disciples might have felt a little peculiar about that, but the great catch of fish put them at ease. Primarily, though, I think the net filled with fish was a promise. It was Jesus’ way of saying, “Don’t worry. I can and will continue to meet every material need.” The disciples would soon set out on the most insecure of all lives: they would be traveling evangelists, dependent on others for their food and lodging. Though these skilled fishermen had practiced their trade all night, they had caught nothing. But a single word from Jesus filled their nets. We can’t depend on our own skills or abilities to meet our needs. But we surely can depend on Jesus! “Large fish, 153″ John 21:11. Why include the specific number? Why not just say, “there were a whole bunch of fish”? I suspect it was because we human beings are quite numbers oriented. I know I am. For one thing, I have a retarded daughter, Joy, who lives in a special residential care center in Arizona. Joy’s expenses run between $17,000 and $18,000 a year—and much of this is not even tax deductible. I have another responsibility that runs about $10,000 a year, so between these two and taxes, I need to earn some $40,000 a year before I have a single cent to dedicate to my own family’s normal expenses. Joy is 28 now, and all these years God has supplied whatever I’ve needed to care for her and the rest of the family. There’s never been anything in the bank, and often piles of bills awaiting payment. But always, just in time, the nets have been filled. And when I’ve counted, as we numbers—oriented people tend to do, there have always been the 153 fish we need, and more. “Do you truly love Me?” John 21:15–23 John tells us that Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love Me?” While the Greek text shows a fascinating use of different words for “love” and for “know” (see DEVOTIONAL), the overall purpose of the questioning was healing and restoration. Peter had denied Jesus three times. His tears of anguish afterward show how great his grief was. Even though Peter was hurt that Christ asked him the same question three times, the triple affirmation of love was important to Peter. How do we know that the triple affirmation was for Peter rather than for Jesus? Because after the first expression of Peter’s love, Jesus commissioned him to “feed My sheep.” Christ accepts our love immediately, and graciously permits us to serve Him. He asks us to reaffirm our love, so that we might examine ourselves, and be sure that our love for Him is real. When you and I realize that we do love God, we are motivated and freed to serve Him without self-doubts. “Do you truly love Me more than these?” John 21:15 There are three possible references in “these.” Jesus might mean, do you love Me more than these other men do? He might mean, do you love Me more than you love these men? Or He might mean, do you love Me more than these things—his boats, nets, and the rugged life of a fisherman. We don’t know which was really intended. Actually, we don’t need to know. All we really need to know is that we love Jesus as much as we can, without comparing ourselves with others. That we love Him more than the dearest of human companions. And that we love Him more than the occupation which we so completely enjoy. Do we love Jesus “more than these”? Yes. Jesus means more to us than anything else in life. “The kind of death by which Peter would glorify God” John 21:19. Peter was commissioned, and then called: “Follow Me.” Peter did follow. He followed for the rest of his life, taking the lead in the church’s early evangelism and, reliable tradition tells us, ultimately ministering to the growing Christian community in Rome itself. There, tradition also says, Peter followed Christ to death by crucifixion. But as a last request Peter begged to be crucified upside down, feeling unworthy to die in the same fashion as his Lord. This death is what Jesus refers to: a death that came by stretching out aged hands, to receive nails like those that pierced the hands of Christ. A triumphant death. Peter once denied Jesus with his lips. But from that time on his every action was one that affirmed the authenticity of his trust in the Saviour. In life, and in death, Peter’s faithfulness brought glory to God. “Lord, what about Him?” John 21:20–25 Peter loved and revered Jesus. But Peter could still say foolish things. One of the most foolish things a Christian can do is to ask, “What about him?” It’s foolish, because Christ, not you or I—or even Peter—is Lord. We need to take Jesus’ reply to Peter to heart: “What is that to you? You must follow Me.” Our responsibility is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and follow Him closely. This is challenge enough. It’s not our place to question God’s leading of another disciple of our Lord. “Jesus did not say that he would not die” John 21:22–25. John outlived all the other disciples, many by as much as 30 years! He was a very old man when he wrote this Gospel: some think in his 90s. During the decades that had swept by after Jesus’ resurrection, John had seen the church grow explosively. By the time he wrote, second and even third-generation Christians were common. And so John penned the Gospel that bore his name as the last living witness to events he himself had seen, heard, and played such a vital part in. “This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true” (v. 24).
DEVOTIONAL
You Know I Love You(John 21:15–19)
Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love Me?” The first two times that Jesus posed this question, John records the Greek word agapao. To capture its implications, the NIV translates it, “Do you truly love Me?” This Greek word is used in the New Testament to speak of God’s great love for us in Christ. This is the word, for instance, in John 3:16 and 13:34–35. “Truly love” is probably a good English translation. Each time Peter answered, “Lord, You know that I love [phileo] You.” The third time Jesus also used the Greek word phileo, usually understood to emphasize friendship, fondness, or liking. Some Greek scholars believe the two are used interchangeably here: others are sure that Peter’s answer shows hesitancy to respond to Jesus on the deeper level the question implies. But perhaps more interesting is the shift in the words Peter used, when he said, “Lord, You know that I love You.” The first two times Peter used oida, a word that indicates an intellectual acceptance of a fact. The third time Peter used the stronger ginosko, which indicates knowledge gained through experience. You and I can and will love Jesus in many ways, on many different levels. But the love that counts, and that equips us to feed Christ’s sheep, is a love that proves itself in experience. Tell Jesus you love Him. But also show Him you love Him in all that you do.
Personal Application
Spell out your love by your actions, and its reality will never be misunderstood.
Quotable
“O God, let the words of my mouth offer hope and confidence and give fresh assurance. But only when my life reflects Your Word.”—Jack L. Moore
“Go . . . to my brothers and tell them ’I am returning to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’ Mary of Magdala went to the disciples with the news, ’I have seen the Lord!’ ” (John 20:17–18)Because Jesus lives, God is our Father and our God.
Overview
Pilate permitted Jesus to be crucified (19:1–16). About noon Friday Jesus was nailed to a cross (vv. 17–21). His executioners gambled for His clothes (vv. 22–24), and Jesus committed His mother to John’s care (vv. 25–27). Jesus’ death (vv. 28–30) was confirmed by the soldiers (vv. 31–37), after which His body was placed in a tomb (vv. 38–42). But early Sunday Jesus’ followers discovered the tomb was open—and empty (20:1–9). Jesus, alive, spoke with Mary of Magdala (vv. 10–18), and appeared to His disciples (vv. 19–31).
Understanding the Text
“He claimed to be the Son of God” John 19:1–16.
The Jews viewed Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God as blasphemy, and reacted either with faith or fury. Pilate reacted with fear. Already in some awe of Jesus, who had said He was ruler of a kingdom that is “not of this world,” Pilate tried desperately to avoid having to make a personal decision. But there are some decisions no one can avoid. And this is one. Each individual must choose to believe or disbelieve the Bible’s clear affirmation that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Pilate tried to set Jesus free without making that decision. But the Jewish leaders threatened to accuse him of supporting a rival to Caesar (v. 12), and Pilate turned Jesus over to be crucified. It was the wrong choice. Perhaps we can sympathize with the vascillating Pilate, but the resurrection of Jesus shows just how wrong Pilate was. The Resurrection proves that Jesus is the Son of God, and, under pressure, Pilate chose not to believe. Let’s remember the Resurrection, and make our daily choices for, rather than against, Jesus Christ. “We have no king but Caesar” John 19:15. These words of the chief priests reveal their utter hypocrisy. The Jews supposedly had no king but God, who ruled from heaven through His Law. In their frenzy to see Jesus dead, the leaders of the Jewish people repudiated God Himself! If we are to live as God’s people, there are certain principles on which we can never compromise. One of the most important of these is that, always, our first allegiance must be to God. “This happened that the Scripture might be fulfilled” John 19:17–24. John’s report of the Crucifixion and Resurrection are intended to demonstrate that Jesus truly is the Son of God. How does the story of the soldiers’ division of Christ’s clothing at Calvary fit this theme? John reports the event, and shows that over a thousand years before David had foreseen and predicted this event (Ps. 22:18). Even the “minor details” of Jesus’ crucifixion were carefully superintended by God, and were elements of a carefully orchestrated plan. The casual observer might think that death on the cross, so terrible and so unjust, proved that Jesus was not the Son of God. How could God allow His Son to suffer such a terrible death? So John links several “minor details” of the scene to Old Testament prophecy, to show that God not only knew but described beforehand just what would happen at Calvary (cf. also John 19:36 with Ps. 34:20, and John 19:37 with Zech. 12:10). Fulfilled prophecy proves John’s thesis. Jesus truly is the Son of God. John’s evidence that Christ’s death was in accord with the fixed intention of God raises the question, “Why?” How wonderful the answer. Through death Jesus is able to offer us forgiveness and cleansing. He suffered gladly, knowing His suffering was for you and me. “Here is your mother” John 19:25–27. All commentators agree that the disciple mentioned here is John himself. His closeness to Jesus made him Christ’s choice as the one to care for His mother, Mary. Some Christians reading this passage emphasize how precious Mary was to Jesus. She was most certainly dearly loved. But this only serves to emphasize the deep love of John for Jesus, and of Jesus for John. Christ was comforted knowing that His friend would care for His dearly loved mother. The closer we are to the Lord, the more likely He is to commit precious things and precious people to our care. Let’s love Him deeply, that we might be privileged to serve our Lord as John served Christ. “Myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds” John 19:38–42. Spices had to be imported, and were extremely expensive. The contribution of 75 pounds of spices was extravagant, indicating both the wealth and the love of the giver. John tells us that the giver was Nicodemus—the important religious leader who years before had come to Jesus at night. At last Nicodemus was ready to declare his allegiance to Jesus, even though Jesus was dead. It’s one thing to jump on the bandwagon of a person or movement then at the height of popularity. It’s another thing entirely to come out publicly in support of a leader who has been rejected and lies dead. The test of our faith is faithfulness to Jesus when things go wrong, not when everything is going right. “He saw the strips of linen lying there” John 20:1–9. The first reaction to the discovery that Jesus’ tomb was empty was one of panic. Someone must have stolen His body! John, the “other disciple,” saw the linen in which Christ had been wrapped lying on a stone slab, and assumed Jesus’ body was still there. Peter stooped and went inside, and discovered that the linen wrappings were empty and hollow! They were shaped like a human body. But there was no body within! John entered then, and saw the wrappings and the napkin that had been placed over Jesus’ face. The evidence was incontrovertible. The two did not understand, but they knew. Jesus had risen from the dead. There is no more carefully documented event in ancient history than the death and resurrection of Jesus. The evidence is indisputable. People do not have to understand. But any careful examination of the testimony compels belief that Jesus is risen indeed. “I have seen the Lord!” John 20:10–18 There’s a difference between circumstantial and eyewitness testimony. The first may compel a verdict. The other confirms it. Like Mary, Christians today believe in the Resurrection not only on the evidence offered in Scripture, but on the basis of personal experience. We know Jesus lives, because He has entered our hearts, and we experience His presence. It’s not enough to agree intellectually that Christ was raised. We need to open our hearts to Jesus, and to experience His presence by faith. “I will not believe it” John 20:24–29. What a blessing Thomas is to Christians everywhere. He reminds us that the skeptic is not rejected by God—that doubts and uncertainty do not lose us a place in God’s kingdom. He reminds us too that Jesus willingly comes to us, to show us His hands and side, that we might believe. If you have any doubts—even as deep as Thomas’ doubts—share them. Jesus will come to you, and when you recognize Him, you will bow down with Thomas and cry, “My Lord and my God!” “These are written that you may believe” John 20:30–31. John didn’t try to give a complete account of Christ’s life. That would have been impossible. What John did was to carefully select material that would reveal Jesus as the Son of God, and so stimulate belief in Him. Because you and I do believe, the purpose of John’s Gospel has been fulfilled in us. We have, now, “life in His name.”
DEVOTIONAL
“The Resurrection”/Jonathan Brooks(John 20)
His friends went off and left Him dead In Joseph’s subterranean bed, Embalmed with myrrh and sweet aloes, And wrapped in snow-white burial clothes. Then shrewd men came and set a seal Upon His grave, lest thieves should steal His lifeless form away, and claim For Him an undeserving fame. “There is no use,” the soldiers said, “Of standing sentries by the dead.” Wherefore, they drew their cloaks around Themselves, and fell upon the ground, And slept like dead men, all night through, In the pale moonlight and chilling dew. A muffled whiff of sudden breath Ruffled the passive air of death. He woke, and raised Himself in bed; Recalled how He was crucified; Touched both hands’ fingers to His head, And lightly felt His fresh-healed side. Then with a deep, triumphant sigh, He coolly put His graveclothes by— Folded the sweet, white winding sheet, The toweling, the linen bands, The napkin, all with careful hands— And left the borrowed chamber neat. His steps were like the breaking day; So soft across the watch He stole, He did not wake a single soul, Nor spill one dewdrop by the way. Now Calvary was loveliness; Lilies that flowered thereupon Pulled off the white moon’s pallid dress, And put the morning’s vestures on. “Why seek the living among the dead? He is not here,” the angel said. The early winds took up the words, And bore them to the lilting birds, The leafing trees, and everything That breathed the living breath of spring.
Personal Application
Rejoice! Christ is risen from the dead.
Quotable
“Christ is risen!” “He is risen indeed!”—Traditional Russian Orthodox Easter Greeting
“[Pilate] went out again to the Jews and said, ’I find no basis for a charge against Him’ ” (John 18:38).Knowing what is right, and doing what is right, are all too often different things.
Overview
Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested (18:1–11). He was taken to Annas and then to Caiaphas (vv. 12–14). While outside Peter disowned Jesus (18:15–18, 25–27), Christ was interrogated by the high priest (vv. 19–24). Early in the morning Jesus was taken to Pilate, the Roman governor, for preliminary questioning (vv. 28–40).
Understanding the Text
“Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant” John 18:1–11. John gives us more details of Peter’s attempt to defend Jesus. Disregarding the odds, Peter struck out at “the” high priest’s servant. The definite article here suggests that this servant was an important official, perhaps even in charge of the mob that came out to arrest Jesus. Peter’s act, and the implied rebuke by Jesus, who quickly healed the injury Peter caused, remind us of a principle suggested several times in this passage: Loyalty may be commendable, but God’s battles cannot be won with man’s weapons! The ultimate example is, of course, Christ’s own death on the cross. The world tries to conquer with swords and spears, with bombs and machine guns. Christ conquers with a cross. Victory is not found in superiority, but in sacrifice. Conquest is not killing, but making alive. We make a terrible mistake if we take up the world’s weapons to fight our spiritual battles. “Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas” John 18:12–14. The two men mentioned here were the respected leaders of Jewish religion and the chief arbiters of Jewish Law. They possessed political power. Again we see the contrast. Two men standing at the pinnacle of worldly power looked down on a bound and apparently helpless Jesus. Yet Jesus was the Victor. In the end the two who judged Jesus did not condemn Him, but themselves. “He replied, ’I am not!’ “ John 18:15–18 Peter illustrates the danger of reliance on force. Peter was brave to take up a sword and attack the mob that approached Jesus. But in doing so he committed himself to war with the world on its home ground. Later, when Peter was threatened, he realized his vulnerability and, in fear, disowned his Lord. Paul says that “the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world” (2 Cor. 10:4). If we intend to battle the people of the world, let’s do so on our own ground, not theirs. “I have spoken openly to the world” John 18:19–24. The high priest and the Sanhedrin had already determined Jesus must die. But they had no charges that would stand examination in a Roman court. The interrogation by the high priest was intended to find some charge that could be brought against Jesus. Christ didn’t bother to answer. He had spoken openly, preaching publicly in the temple and synagogue. All He stood for was well known; many witnesses could be found to tell the court what He had said. Openness and utter honesty are the most powerful spiritual defenses we possess. If we are open and honest, the only charges others can bring against us will be false charges. “The Jews led Jesus . . . to the palace of the Roman governor” John 18:28–40. John gives us the most thorough account of Jesus’ trial before Pilate. Again notice that Jesus refused to rely on any but spiritual resources. Christ admitted His kingship, but affirmed that “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight” (v. 36). The real conflict was not between Jesus and the Jews who accused Him, but between the forces of evil and of God. Spiritual warfare only appears to be fought on earthly battlegrounds. And spiritual victories are never won using mankind’s destructive weapons. There was another battle taking place in Pilate’s judgment hall: a battle between Pilate and his own conscience. Pilate shrewdly realized that the Jewish leaders were jealous of Christ’s religious influence, and wanted to use him to get rid of One they saw as a rival. Pilate also knew that Jesus had committed no capital offense. At the same time Pilate wanted to avoid trouble during the ever-volatile festival season. And research has shown that Pilate himself was politically vulnerable at this time. So Pilate too fought a battle; a battle between his conscience and his political instincts. Not surprisingly, his political instincts won out. Being used to worldly ways of thinking, he made a worldly decision—and condemned Jesus to death. The spiritual man ignores political considerations to follow his conscience as that conscience is informed by the Word of God. Let’s not take Pilate’s course, and let worldly concerns dictate our decisions. Moral weakness wins no spiritual battles. “What is truth?” John 18:38 We have no way of knowing Pilate’s tone of voice as he spoke these words. Was he scoffing? Or did he perhaps speak with longing, or despair? We do know that truth is discovered only by those who abandon worldly moral compasses, and chart a course by the Word of God. Only those willing to do God’s will can know it, and only those who do God’s will discover truth. Again the spiritual battlefield is defined. Let’s set our course in life by the compass of God’s Word, and ignore the advice and the “wisdom” of mere men. Use this map to locate the events of Jesus’ last day, listed below. 1. Last Supper with disciples (John 13–16) 2. Arrested at Gethsemane (John 18:1–11) 3. Pretrial hearing by Annas (John 18:19–24) 4. Examination by Caiaphas (Matt. 26:57–68) 5. Official Sanhedrin trial (Matt. 27:1–2) 6. Examination by Pilate (John 18:28–40) 7. Sent to Herod, ruler of Galilee (Luke 23:6–12) 8. Returned to Pilate for sentence (John 19:1–16) 9. Taken to execution hill and crucified (John 19:17–37) 10. Buried in Joseph’s new tomb (John 19:38–42)
DEVOTIONAL
“Free Barabbas!”(John 18:28–40)
The word that John used to describe Barabbas is lestes. It does not mean thief, but outlaw: an insurrectionist. In our day we’d probably call Barabbas a “freedom fighter.” He was one of those people who chafed under Roman rule, found a contributor or two, and with freshly armed companions set out to cause as much trouble as he could. It would be a shame if a few innocent bystanders got killed. But the cause was just. What are a few lives measured against advancement of the cause? So Pilate made a grave miscalculation when he asked the crowd to choose between Jesus, the miracle worker and healer, and Barabbas, the terrorist. The crowd shouted for Barabbas, and undoubtedly the TV cameras and reporters crowded around, and Barabbas was invited to speak to the United Nations, firmly gripping his swords and knives. What amazes me is the number of Third World movements that pass themselves off as Christian—and are lauded by churchmen. Have you ever noticed that, when Christians cry out against injustice, all too many shout for the release of Barabbas rather than Jesus? They call for the sword and spear, the arming of the oppressed, rather than the spiritual armory of Jesus. Real victories are never achieved by Barabbas, who mutilates and kills. Real victories, of the spirit over the flesh, of love over hate, of patient faith and goodness over brutality and evil, are won as Jesus won His victory over Satan. By taking up the cross; by bearing witness; by dying if need be. And by resurrection.
Personal Application
When faith adopts unbelief’s weapons, evil has already won.
Quotable
“What will it profit a man if he gains his cause, and silences his adversary, if at the same time he loses that humble tender frame of spirit in which the Lord delights, and to which the promise of His presence is made!”—John Newton
This is my personal collection of thoughts and writings, mainly from much smarter people than I, which challenge me in my discipleship walk. Don't rush by these thoughts, but ponder them.
Milo 