John 19:1-4

It is interesting to point out that Jesus is acknowledged for who He is and at the same time declared not guilty by the Roman governor. It is indeed a true statement that Jesus is the King of the Jews and that He also is sinless. Pilate knows that Jesus is not guilty, yet he does not set Him free. Jesus is mocked with a crown of thorns and a purple robe of royalty. This has to be humiliating for Jesus. We have often been humiliated by a slight offense, yet here is the all powerful God taking abuse because He knows it is the only way for us to be saved. He withheld His power to destroy His enemy so that He might destroy our great enemy of sin and death. 

John 18:37-40

Pilate is a wise politician. He has Jesus admitting He is a king. However, Pilate knows that this charge is being fueled by the jealousy of the Jewish rulers. It is trumped up. He puts off Jesus by saying, "What is truth?" Pilate then goes to the Jews with a plan to let Jesus go and not cause any undo grief for himself. He says, “I find no guilt in Him.” He then offers to release Him as is the custom at the Passover, but they do not want Jesus set free. They choose Barabbas, so Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified.

John 18:33-36

In this interchange between Jesus and Pilate we see the truth that Jesus’ Kingdom is not of this world. This is why the church is not a military force. This is why we do not lead military crusades to conquer the world. We do not have Jihad as one of our core beliefs. Christ’s kingdom transcends this world. Have no doubt. Christ is King of this world, yet it is not a political kingdom. It is a spiritual kingdom. He could throw out the Romans and kill the false leaders, but He wins a more important battle on the Cross. He conquers sin and death for His people.

John 18:28-32

The hearing before the High Priest has been an easy one for the Jews as he is in on the plot. Now they have to convince the Roman governor. We see their outward show of holiness. They did not want to make themselves ceremonially unclean, yet at the same time they have murder in their hearts. The logic of their charge is lacking and Pilate knows it. He does not want to be bothered, but they press him because otherwise they can put no one to death. Jesus is going to die. He has not be captured or betrayed; He is willingly going to die for you and for me. All of this is part of God's saving plan.

John 18:25-27

The scene cuts back to Peter. He is close by, warming himself by a fire. When he is recognized, he denies Jesus a second time. Then one of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man who's ear Peter had cut off, sees him. Now if someone chopped off an ear of your relative, I think you would probably remember what he looks like. He asks, "Did I not see you in the Garden with Him?'' Peter denies it. Then the rooster crowed. Poor Peter wanted to stay with Christ and follow Him all the way, even to death, but he could not go even as far as this point. Christ’s words came true and Peter denied Him three times. Only Christ could go to the cross to be our Savior and Lord! Peter is restored in John 21:15-19. Know that we go not in our own strength, but only in and by the power of Christ.

John 18:22-24

We see that Jesus is not getting a fair trial. Jesus has spoken the truth, but He is struck by one of the High Priest's officers. Jesus asks him a simple but direct question. “If what I said is true, why do you strike me?” This is a kangaroo court. The Jewish rulers and leaders want Jesus gone. They need Him out of the way because He is messing up their power and authority. We should always seek truth in dealing with all matters, especially those that are of importance. They rushed to judgment and missed seeing the Savior of the world.

John 18:20-21

Jesus’ teaching was open and public. The miracles He worked were not hidden; the people and leaders saw them. Jesus testified to them, "I have spoken openly to the world...taught in the synagogues and in the temple." He was saying that His teaching was not a secret. They did not have to ask Christ. They could have asked anyone who had been around and heard His teaching.

The teaching of Jesus is not secret today. It is given to the world in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. We proclaim it and give it to the world freely.