Sharing Bread John 19:17-18

SHARING BREAD

17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 Here they crucified him, and with him two others--one on each side and Jesus in the middle.


John 19:17-18 (NIV)

The cross – an instrument of the most dreadful and agonizing torture, commonly used among the Romans for slaves and criminals. Persons sentenced to crucifixion were first scourged, as Jesus, and then compelled to bear their own cross to the place of execution, just as our Lord. This showed the depth of humiliation to which Christ submitted as our substitute. Our Lord typified Isaac bearing the wood for the sacrifice on Moriah in which He Himself was to be the victim as well as typifying the brazen serpent which Moses lifted up in the wilderness that all who looked upon would live. Jesus states earlier in John:

14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:14-15 (NIV)

Our Lord’s crucifixion was also a striking fulfillment of the Mosaic Law whereby the sin offering had to be carried outside the camp.

27 The bull and the goat for the sin offerings, whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place to make atonement, must be taken outside the camp; their hides, flesh and offal are to be burned up.  Lev 16:26-27 (NIV)

Crucifixion was reserved for the worst and most hardened of the criminals - the punishment imposed on the vilest of felons. A sign was usually placed on the chest of or over the head of the one being executed. Jesus was reckoned a sinner and counted a curse for our sakes – He was the mightiest sin offering ever to be seen – bearing our disgrace “without the camp” as Hebrews attests – the minutest details of our Lord’s passion all carrying deep meaning:

11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.  Heb 13:11-13 (NIV)

We must choose to follow Jesus regardless of the humiliation or suffering that being His disciple might entail. To bear the cross is to wear the crown. We may be stretched past our “safe” confinements of traditions and ceremonies or friends and family or location and lands. We may be deserted by all – save Jesus – persecuted for our doctrine and practice and yet be willing to stand alone. It would do us well to always remember that it is the way of the cross that leads us home. As we, like He, carry our crosses, we readily admit His right over our lives and in so doing take hold of the life that is truly life. Whatever cross He calls us to bear at any time, it behooves us to dwell on the fact that He bore the cross first. He died among the criminals fulfilling yet another prophecy found in Isaiah:

12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.  Isaiah 53:12 (NIV)

Clearly in the gospels Jesus states the priority of His followers taking up their crosses - continually reminding us that the way of the cross leads us home:

37 “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matt 10:37-39 (NIV)

“To know the fellowship of His sufferings, to be made conformable to His death, to have crucified affections, and live crucified lives – all this needs self-denial and Christians of this stamp are few and far between.” John Charles Ryle

Selflessness does not mean thinking less of self rather thinking of self less – just as Jesus. Remember, it is God’s to exalt. Paul’s words to the Philippians come to mind:

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:5-11 (NIV)




“The only ground on which God can forgive our sin and reinstate us to His favor is through the Cross of Christ. There is no other way! Forgiveness, which is so easy for us to accept, cost the agony at Calvary. We should never take the forgiveness of sin, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and our sanctification in simple faith, and then forget the enormous cost to God that made all of this ours. Forgiveness is the divine miracle of grace. The cost to God was the Cross of Christ. To forgive sin, while remaining a holy God, this price had to be paid. Never accept a view of the fatherhood of God if it blots out the atonement. The revealed truth of God is that without the atonement He cannot forgive – He would contradict His nature if He did. The only way we can be forgiven is by being brought back to God through the atonement of the Cross. God’s forgiveness is possible only in the supernatural realm……Once you realize all that it cost God to forgive you, you will be held as in a vise, constrained by the love of God.” Oswald Chambers

And the way of the cross leads us home.

What I glean from this:



• Jesus died an agonizing death for me.


• The minutest details of our Lord’s passion carry deep meanings.


• I am to take up my cross and follow my Savior – it is the path that leads me home.

Sharing Bread John 19:16

SHARING BREAD

16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.




So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.


John 19:16 (NIV)

It was the hour that darkness reigned. I recall Jesus’ Words recorded in Luke when He was arrested:

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour--when darkness reigns." Luke 22:52-53 (NIV)



Don’t you know our Lord’s little band of ragamuffin disciples were confused and fearful. In a whirlwind of nightmarish events they witnessed their Master taken from them, scourged beyond recognition and sentenced to death by crucifixion in a mockery of a trial. Indeed, it was the hour upon earth when darkness reigned. Luke records in Acts the following Truth:



33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Acts 8:33 (NIV)



Conviction yielded and corruptions prevailed, Pilate now delivers our Lord over into the hands of the chief priests giving them permission to put Him to death. We see how the fear of man held a greater power over Pilate than the fear of God Almighty. I am reminded of God’s Word in Isaiah:



11 “Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have been false to me, and have neither remembered me nor pondered this in your hearts? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me? 12 I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you.” Isaiah 57:11-12 (NIV)




“But the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.” Isaiah 57:13 (NIV)




In an effort to pacify his conscience, Pilate endeavored to transfer the guilt to the Jews excusing himself of his wrong doing. How smug His enemies must have all seemed over their apparent victory, how ruthless their treatment of the great “I AM” and all accomplished through the hands of the Roman soldiers. While the priests’ hands were not literally bloodied, they were certainly the responsible persons in our Lord’s murder as Pilate merely delivered Jesus over to their will. Luke tells us:



23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. Luke 23:23-25 (NIV)

Christ was delivered over to death for our offences – the Righteous for the unrighteous – to set us free. He is our substitution. The punishment that brought us peace was laid upon Him and by His wounds we are healed. Paul tells us in Romans:



25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Romans 4:25 (NIV)



Surely our Lord was not surprised by any of this rather He willingly acquiesced in obedience to His Father’s will. Jesus stated earlier in John:



38 “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” John 6:38 (NIV)



Interestingly, after the temptation of Jesus by the adversary in the wilderness, Scripture states God sent forth His angels to attend to and minister care for our Lord’s needs while Satan departed until an opportune time. Matthew tells us:



11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. Matt 4:11 (NIV)



Luke gives us further insight on the devil’s dealings regarding Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness:



13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. Luke 4:13 (NIV)



In our verse for today we discover it was the devil’s hour – no angels attended - therefore Scripture states:

“So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.”

What I glean from this:



• Darkness was allowed to reign the hour Jesus was put to death.


• Pilate yielded his convictions and let corruption prevail in handing our Lord over to be crucified – fearing man over God.


• God was not taken by surprise at any of these despicable deeds of mankind. 10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. Isaiah 53:10 (NIV)

Sharing Bread John 19:14-15

SHARING BREAD

14 It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour.






"Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews.




15 But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!"






"Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked.




"We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.


John 19:14-15 (NIV)

All Jewish feasts had their eves or preparation days in order for the people to be readied both mentally, spiritually and physically as there was no regular work to be done on the Feasts or on the Sabbaths. Jesus’ death occurred prior to the annual Sabbath known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The children of Israel were to abstain from all leavened bread for seven days. To prevent the accidental consumption, they were to empty their houses of any leaven or leaven products. Scripture tells us there were dire consequences in its consumption:

4 “‘These are the LORD's appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times: 5 The LORD's Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. 6 On the fifteenth day of that month the LORD's Feast of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast. 7 On the first day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.’” Lev 23:4-7 (NIV)




19 “For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses. And whoever eats anything with yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Israel, whether he is an alien or native-born. 20 Eat nothing made with yeast. Wherever you live, you must eat unleavened bread.” Ex 12:19-20 (NIV)



Yeast, according to God’s Word, is symbolic for sin. The absence of yeast suggesting that those who were under the safety of the shed blood of the Passover lamb were free from the corruption of sin before a holy God. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians:



7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast--as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor 5:7-8 (NIV)





Interestingly and fittingly, Jesus died on the day the Israelites were to rid their lives of leaven (sin). The day they were to leave their wanderings of a trackless waste behind them. The Great God in Heaven in His thunderous power allowed the perfect Lamb of God to take upon Him all the sick sin of the world so that those who would believe on Him would be safe under His shed blood:



21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:21 (NIV)



“God became man to turn creatures into sons.” C. S. Lewis



Yet sadly the Jews – like many of us today, did not want Jesus to be their King. Once more they raised their fierce, relentless and obstinate cry demanding death of the Prisoner. They shout to Pilate: "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" They wanted no part of Him – only His blood would satisfy them and only His blood would fully satisfy God’s righteous requirement for the payment of their sin.



“God is far more willing to save sinners than sinners are to be saved.” J. C. Ryle



Had not our Lord been thus rejected, we would have been forever rejected by God. As Christ was made sin for us and crucified, in like manner we are to crucify sin in ourselves with as much indignation as these screaming enemies of our Lord. They renounce the faith of their forefathers and publically claim that Caesar was their king and not God. Whatever we choose and prefer above Jesus often turns into a scourge and plague for us.



“Israel revolted from God, cast off His authority, and claimed Caesar as their king. Justly therefore they were delivered over into Caesars hands, and endured the heaviest calamities.” Cyril



“We judge things by their present appearance; but the Lord sees them in their consequences. If we could do the same we would be perfectly of His mind; but since we can’t, it is an unspeakable mercy that He will manage for us, whether we are pleased with His management or not; and it is regarded as one of His heaviest judgments when He gives any person up to the way of their own hearts, and to walk according to their own wisdom.” John Newton



What I glean from this:

• Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse me from sin. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)


• Amazingly, God is far more willing to save me than I am even willing to be saved. 1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 (NIV)


• When I choose anything over Jesus it turns into a scourge for me.

Sharing Bread John 19:12-13

SHARING BREAD

12 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar."



13 When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha).


John 19:12-13 (NIV)

Most likely, under conviction, Pilate desired to set Jesus free and took pains to affect it. He could make nothing out of their charge of blasphemy and wished to let his Prisoner go. Pilate proposes to release Him but got nowhere with our Lord’s adversaries who fervently and staunchly clung to His demise. Therefore, we discover in our verses for today, the Jews heading for yet another tactic. They argued if Pilate were to release the Lord, he would not be a friend of Caesar and would be showing a great disloyalty towards him since Jesus had claimed to be a king. Jesus’ prior Words must have bolted through Pilate’s memory like an electric shock terrifying him. Luke records the following conversation between our Lord and Pilate:

3 So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. Luke 23:3 (NIV)

The Jews argument frightened the crowd pleasing Pilate to the core. Their words were not music to his ears by any means – indeed they probably sent shivers up his spine. He certainly did not want an unfavorable report to go to his boss, Tiberius, who sat on the throne at that time and who was known to be a cold, violent and very suspicious character. It was a dilemma for Pilate to be sure – was he going to show his loyalty to Rome or was he going to side with a despised Jew. He was the one who had to resolve it – he was the one who had to make the final decision. From that moment on all his hopes of letting our Lord go away unharmed were dashed to the ground. He simply had no intentions of being charged with neglect of the interest of Rome or of unfriendliness to Caesar. The case was now over in his mind. Pilate’s weak efforts to free an innocent Prisoner from unjust accusations were useless. He dared not oppose the demands of the blood-thirsty crowd. In Exodus we read God’s view on the subject of condemning the innocent:

7 Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty. Ex 23:7 (NIV)


Interestingly, we also find in Proverbs that it is third on the list of seven of the things the Lord hates – not to mention the Jews were guilty of all seven in their handling of the Lord Jesus:

16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. Prov 6:16-19 (NIV)




“Never, for fear of feeble man, restrain your witness.” C.H. Spurgeon

“Those who bind up their happiness in the favour of men make themselves an easy prey to the temptations of Satan.” Matthew Henry



Pilate chose to side with the wicked and help those who hated the Lord – sadly for Pilate, sadly for us when we choose to do likewise. Judas came to this realization and Matthew records it:



1 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. 2 They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. 3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4 "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." 5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Matt 27:1-5 (NIV)



Don’t ever think you will find lasting comfort in Satan or his minions, money or any other worldly treasure or the unredeemed – they will always be found wanting. I believe if Judas had turned to Jesus in lieu of the Jews He would have forgiven Him.



“Do not let the false delights of a deceptive world deceive you.” Clare of Assisi

Resolved to do the dirty, Pilate in great pomp and ceremony now sits down in the judge’s seat to condemn the Lord. He surrenders Him to the angry mob instead of surrendering himself to the Lord of all.



What I glean from this:



• Pilate wavered and chose what he knew to be wrong over the right. I am to cling to what is good and forsake what is evil.


• God hates false charges against the innocent. He will eventually right every wrong. It is His to avenge, it is His to repay.


• I am not to be afraid of feeble man.

Sharing Bread John 19:10-11

SHARING BREAD

10 "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"



11 Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."


John 19:10-11 (NIV)

Pompous Pilate here proclaims a pristine example of a high minded claim to absolute power which many ungodly men are so fond of making. They often magnify themselves - boasting of their authority - gratifying and humoring their own pride – humanism at its highest. Remember King Nebuchadnezzar’s boast of power in Daniel and God’s immediate reaction to it?

28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" 31 The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes." Dan 4:28-32 (NIV)


“The essence of sin is pride. The heart of sin is independence and the core of sin is demanding my own way instead of God's.” Pat Singleterry

“Pride not only withdraws the heart from God, but lifts it up against God.” Thomas Manton

There is only One Sovereign over the kingdoms of men and it is neither Nebuchadnezzar nor Pilate nor any other jar of clay – surprise, surprise. God is the only true God – totally other – set apart – unique in His knowledge and control of the future – unique in his power and salvation. I am reminded of God’s Words recorded by the prophet Isaiah:

5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, 6 so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. 7 I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. Isaiah 45:5-7 (NIV)

8 "Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. 9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. Isaiah 46:8-10 (NIV)

Jesus’ silence had incensed Pilate and he responds with a haughty check. Puffed up with power and indignant over our Lord’s sealed lips, he smugly tramples on our Savior with his pompous words. Yet, even though men like Nebuchadnezzar and Pilate boast of their mighty power, they are often mere slaves – weak and afraid of something as simple as resisting popular opinion. While Pilate talked of our Lord’s release, he was obviously afraid to let Him go free.

Jesus’ response to Pilate’s puffed up words was remarkably dignified and calm. He states two Truths – the only power Pilate had over Him was given to him from above (God’s Sovereignty) and the one who had handed Him over to Pilate was guilty of the greater sin (we are held accountable for the knowledge we have received). Pilate sinned out of ignorance while the Jews out of knowledge yet both were tools in the hand of the Highest One. Pilate knew very little of what Jesus was about compared to the Jews. The implication of this verse being the possession of superior knowledge increases the sinfulness of a sinner’s sin – we are judged by the light we have received. It was more sinful for the Jews, therefore, with all their knowledge of the law and of the prophets to hand our Lord over to be crucified than for Pilate – an ignorant pagan - to condemn Him to death. There are degrees to sin – they are not all equally sinful. The servant who knew His Master’s will and did not do it is guiltier than the one who knew it not.

Interestingly, man’s culpability and God’s Sovereignty both come to light together in one verse in Acts on the day of Pentecost where Peter declares:

23 This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. Acts 2:23 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• God hates pride. 18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Prov 16:18 (NIV)


• God is the only True God. 13 "But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases. Job 23:13 (NIV)


• I am held accountable for the light I have received.

Sharing Bread John 19:8-9

SHARING BREAD

8 When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9 and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.


John 19:8-9 (NIV)

Pilate shows forth a different frame of mind as terror gripped his heart upon hearing from the Jews our Lord’s claim to be the Son of God - and rightly so. His weak and ignorant conscience became alarmed as he considered the possibility of this meek and gentle Prisoner before Him to be more than just a common man but rather Deity. Our Lord’s majestic and dignified demeanor must have impacted him leaving him uncomfortable and frightened. Surely Pilate had heard and now remembered the many accounts of Jesus’ ministry - particularly His miracles and astonishing powers over both the sick and the dead.

Upon hearing this fresh charge of blasphemy, Pilate begins to re-question Jesus privately leaving the Jews outside. Yet to his surprise Jesus remains silent giving him no response. This is very striking as prior to this our Lord had spoken freely to Pilate. Jesus’ silence must be understood in the state of Pilate’s soul. Pilate deserved no answers as he had forfeited his right to any further revelations given the light and knowledge he had already shunned rather than embraced. Jesus gave him nothing more. He had been told the nature of our Lord’s kingdom as well as His purpose in coming into the world. He had even publically confessed His innocence yet he chose to treat Jesus with flagrant injustice – scourging Him and allowing the soldiers to treat Him with the vilest indignities and scorn. Sadly for Pilate, his time of opportunity had now passed – the time of God’s favor had slipped through his hands like water and he now stands perplexed, confused and frightened. It matters greatly what one does with what one knows – we are all held accountable for what we have received. Remember our Lord’s Words to us in the Sermon on the Mount:

6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.” Matt 7:6 (NIV)




This is not too dissimilar to the example in Parable of the Sower as well. The Word of God is sowed and falls upon a hardened path (hearts) - not prepared to receive the mustard seed of God’s Truth. It is trampled underfoot by the hearer and the “birds of the air” (Satan or his minions) come and snatch it away.



11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.” Luke 8:11-12 (NIV)

Paul also tells us in 2 Corinthians:

1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor 6:1-2 (NIV)



We are given a like warning by the writer of Hebrews – we must seize the opportunity when presented by God – it could be our last if we continue to harden our hearts as Pilate:



7 So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert,” Heb 3:7-8 (NIV)



12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. Heb 3:12 (NIV)



Pilate chose poorly for himself, for his family. He knew what was right and he did not do it. This serves as a wonderful reminder to us all to make right choices – we effect generations by them.



“That is life. It’s composed of a million choices. And most of those choices seem insignificant, unimportant, unimpressive, and uninteresting. But character is developed when we continue to make the next, right choice. And character creates influence. And influence creates legacy. So if you want to leave an amazing legacy, just keep doing the next right thing. Four generations from now, people probably won’t remember your name. But someone you love will be different because of you.” Laura Black

What I glean from this:

• Pilate knew the Truth but refused to stand up for it.


• Pilate’s time of opportunity came and went – letting the Living Water slip through his hands rather than embracing Its constant supply.


• My life is made up of the choices I make – if I want to die well I must live well.

Sharing Bread John 19:7

SHARING BREAD

7 The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."


John 19:7 (NIV)

Citing Leviticus, the Jews now insist to Pilate they have a slam dunk case against the Lord Jesus and therefore demand His death. They were intently insistent upon turning every stone to destroy Him:

16 anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him. Whether an alien or native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death. Lev 24:16 (NIV)




Interestingly, the Word of God - which used properly - should have opened their eyes so that they might clearly see - they wrongly divide here and use for their ruin. They become blinded to the Truth – abusing it rather than using it as their guide to direct both their affections and actions. They perverted the Law making it an instrument of their malice. We cannot pick and choose what we want to believe in God’s Word. It does not give us that option – it is either Truth or it is not.



16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17 (NIV)




30 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Psalms 18:30 (NIV)




Beware of building your faith upon one Truth while turning a deaf ear, disregarding or negating others. The shame of God’s disapproval awaits those who do not handle His Word correctly. Remember this was and is what Satan is constantly about – mixing the Truth with a lie - a slippery path leading to ruination. Do not forget Jesus’ temptation by the adversary in the wilderness – Satan used Scripture to tempt our Lord while Jesus combats him with the fullness of the Word causing him to finally flee until an opportune time:



5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' " Matt 4:5-6 (NIV)



It is true Jesus claimed to be the Son of God – because He is – but they conveniently neglected the miracles He performed to validate His claim.



"The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others.

Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian." A.W. Tozer

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15 (NIV)




We find in Mathew the Lord Jesus distinctly laying claim to His divinity- the Jews clearly understanding Him to mean He was the Christ, the Son of God:



The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.” Matt 26:63-65 (NIV)




We also discover Jesus pointing the Jews to His miraculous works earlier in John giving proof to His claim:



31 Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" 33 "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God." John 10:31-33 (NIV)






10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.   John 14:10-11 (NIV)



Lastly, even one of their own ruling council – Nicodemus – was red flagged by the miraculous signs as having been Divine:



1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." John 3:1-2 (NIV)





What I glean from this:



• All Scripture is Truth and is profitable for me.


• I must beware of disregarding or negating parts of God’s Word rather I must handle it correctly.


• Nothing less than the whole Bible can make a whole Christian.

Sharing Bread John 19:4-6

SHARING BREAD

4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him." 5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!"




6 As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!"




But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him."

John 19:4-6 (NIV)

The soldiers mockingly arrayed our Lord, cladding Him with a crown of thorns and a purple robe and parading Him in front of a taunting, blood–thirsty crowd. Surely Jesus suffered many indignities and much scorn at the hands of these arrogant Romans. Though Jesus was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor – mocked, beaten, falsely accused and crucified so that through His poverty we might be richly benefitted. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians:

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Cor 8:8-9 (NIV)


It easy to get caught up in the sin of mocking particularly when we believe we are far above what is being mocked. Folly is loud and undisciplined as well as lacking of judgment and knowledge. People fall into this trap by continuously seeking to feel better about their lot and by falsely believing they are above someone else. This is done in a myriad of ways – mocking, snobbery, shunning, etc. We would do well to remember that while salvation is exclusively through faith in Jesus all are included in the call. Not only that, what do we have that we did not receive and if we did receive, what right have we to boast? Proverbs tells us:

12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer." Prov 9:12 (NIV)

"People never improve unless they look to some standard or example higher or better than themselves." Tryon Edwards

Yet Pilate calls out to the angry mob -"Here is the man!" Instead of looking at His high standard they were consumed at gawking at His presumed low station. We would all do well to gaze upon Him with correct vision. Look upon His humiliation, look how He suffered for us. Gaze upon His wounds that brought us healing. Look upon Him who suffered and died in our place so that we might take hold of the life that is truly life.

Pilate once again states he finds no basis for charge against Christ considering Him only a weak and harmless fanatic who made no claim to an earthly kingdom - only a heavenly one. Seemingly in Pilate’s eyes Jesus was a poor contemptible person worthy of scorn but not death. Pilate hoped that upon seeing Jesus’ miserable condition the Jews would be content to allow Him to be set free. Yet his scheme for avoiding the condemnation of the Lord Jesus went awry. The sight of the bleeding and despised Prisoner had no such effect on His cruel enemies. They were content with only His death as demonstrated by their fierce and continuous cry: "Crucify! Crucify!" Surely, mobs can be stirred to an extraordinary degree of blood-thirstiness as shown in our verses for today.

Pilate’s interview with the Lord Jesus had satisfied him – he had found no fault in Him – no basis for a charge against Him. Interestingly, Pilate states this three times in John – twice in our verses for today and once in the verse below:

38 "What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. John 18:38 (NIV)




Convinced of our Lord’s innocence and even warned by his wife to have nothing to do regarding this Man, Pilate does not release Him but weakly chooses to succumb to the angry mob’s wishes and shuns the hard right embracing the easy wrong. Sadly for him, he had not the courage to act according to his conscience. Matthew’s gospel gives us the following insight expanding our depth of knowledge on this subject:



19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him." Matt 27:19 (NIV)





What I glean from this:



• Jesus became poor for my sake that through His poverty I might become rich.


• I will not improve unless I look to a standard higher than myself.


• I must stand for the hard right against the easy wrong.

Sharing Bread John 19:1-3

SHARING BREAD

1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face.


John 19:1-3 (NIV)

3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3 (NIV)

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)



“He, the innocent sin-bearer, wore the crown of thorns, that we, the guilty, might wear a crown of glory. Vast is the contrast which there will be between the crown of glory that Christ will wear at His second advent, and the crown of thorns which He wore at His first coming.” John Charles Ryle



These verses certainly point to the endless depth of meaning in the expression of Paul when he writes in Ephesians of Christ’s love which “surpasses knowledge”. The eternal Son of God, whom the Father’s countless angels stood at the ready delighting to honor, steps down out of His glory to be the perfect and needed sacrifice for my sins and yours. We discover our Lord here willingly scourged by His own people, unjustly condemned by a judge who proclaimed he found no fault in Him and finally delivered up to the most painful death with all the sins of the world heaped upon His bleeding and disfigured body. Who loves like this? Only God - His love is a love that stands alone. Paul tells us in Philippians:

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:5-11 (NIV)



These verses make our persistent whining over the “thorns” in our lives seem like two year old behavior at best. We are called to diligently follow our Lord’s example of His patience in all the trials and afflictions of life – especially those brought upon us for our faith in Him. He gives us the grace the power and the strength to meet each need He allows in our lives so that we may successfully live for His glory and our good. We do not need to live defeated lives as Christians –unfortunately, we often choose to.



“”Whatever the circumstances, whatever the call, whatever the duty, whatever the price, whatever the sacrifice – His strength will be your strength in your hour of need.” Billy Graham



“Want of trust is at the root of almost all our sins and all our weaknesses, and how shall we escape it but by looking to Him and observing His faithfulness. The man who holds God’s faithfulness will not be foolhardy or reckless, but will be ready for every emergency.” Hudson Taylor



39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. Psalms 37:39 (NIV)



Peter tells us we are to entrust our lives to Him who judges justly. Of this you can be sure – one day God will right every wrong:



19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:19-24 (NIV)



Interestingly, our Lord had specifically foretold of His flogging to His disciples in Luke yet they remained clueless:



31 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. 33 On the third day he will rise again." 34 The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about. Luke 18:31-34 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• Jesus was despised and rejected by those He came to save. Man has always fought against God’s best for his life.


• The Innocent bore my sin on the cross.


• I am to be like Jesus in my trials – through His power and strength and for His glory and my good.

Sharing Bread John 18:40

SHARING BREAD

40 They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.


John 18:40 (NIV)

Assuredly, “Birds of a feather flock together” and there is most definitely a certain “Honor among thieves” but Barabbas? Seriously…. are you kidding me….a notorious prisoner released in lieu of our Lord – disowning the Holy And Righteous One for a mere malefactor? Sadly, this rabble vehemently desired to have an insurrectionist and murderer in their midst rather than the Messiah. I find it extremely amazing that the greatest most self-less act ever done on behalf of mankind could be met with such great disdain and quite frankly, still continues to be. Man seems to fight against rather than embrace what is for his very best. Scripture gives us further insight into this scoundrel Barabbas’s true character and colors:

18 With one voice they cried out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!" 19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) Luke 23:18-19 (NIV)



After Jesus’ ascension, Peter gives a clear account to the Jews in Acts regarding what actually “went down” during these proceedings:



12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. Acts 3:12-16 (NIV)


They had demanded Christ’s death, they had disowned the Holy and Righteous One choosing the release of a murderer over the Messiah and they had killed the Author of life but God raised Him from the dead. Such was their utter hardness, bitterness, cruelty and hatred towards our Lord. Nothing would satisfy them short of His blood – nothing would satisfy God’s wrath towards man’s sin short of His blood either.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 (NIV)

“Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me?” Charles Wesley

Interestingly, we see here a wonderful example of the great Christian doctrine of substitution. The real criminal is acquitted and let go free and clear while the guiltless is condemned and sentenced to death. So it is with the salvation of our souls. Prior to Jesus, we are all as Barabbas in nature – deserving of God’s wrath and condemnation yet in Christ we are accounted as righteous and set free. Just as Christ was put to death and Barabbas freed, Christ was punished and put to death as a sinner to save our souls – the guiltless dying for the guilty. Paul puts it the following way in 2 Corinthians:



14 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:14-21 (NIV)

“God became man to turn creatures into sons.” C. S. Lewis


“The righteousness of God is not acquired by acts frequently repeated….but is imparted by faith.” Martin Luther

“It is His love for man, His compassion for the human race, that prompts God to hate sin with such a vengeance. He gave Heaven’s finest that we might have the best; and He loathes with a holy abhorrence anything that would hinder our being reconciled to Him.” Billy Graham


What I glean from this:

• Man seems to continually fight against rather than embrace that which is for his best: 23 but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. 24 But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. Jer 7:23-24 (NIV)


• All of mankind’s iniquity was placed upon Jesus on the cross.


• Jesus died in my place – the guiltless for the guilty.

Sharing Bread John 18:38-39

SHARING BREAD

38 "What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. 39 But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?"


John 18:38-39 (NIV)

Cold, searing sarcasm spurts from Pilate’s mouth as he thrusts his skeptical interjection regarding truth in the face of Truth Himself. In our verses for today, this earthly leader demonstrated his true colors showing himself to be a man of the world who had determined in his own mind that there was no such thing as absolute truth – all religions and creeds being equally untrue. This worldly minded Roman speaks like a man both sick of and saturated with the philosophical speculations of his day. He stood persuaded that this life was all he had to care for and that no sensible person could think otherwise. Sadly, it is precisely this state of mind we find many men of every age living and dying with.

"Truth and love are the characteristics which build up the church, especially in association with each other. Yet this combination is rare in the contemporary church. Some leaders are great champions of the truth and anxious to fight for it, but display little love. Others are great advocates of love, but have no equal commitment to truth...Truth is hard if it is not softened by love and love is soft if it is not strengthened by the truth." John Stott

Pilate was not asking our Lord as a real inquirer - genuinely desirous of an honest answer to his question. This was clearly demonstrated by his abrupt breaking from the conversation before Jesus would have had a chance to respond - too bad for Pilate. If he had waited he might have learned.

Pilate knew Jesus was innocent and proclaimed Him so. How fitting for one of the chief agents in our Lord’s death to publically declare our Lord’s innocence. Remember, Jesus came as the spotless Lamb to take away the sins of the world. He was a lamb without blemish prescribed in Exodus for the Passover lamb – there was “no fault in Him”:

5 The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. Ex 12:5 (NIV)



Indeed, Luke records the fact of our Lord’s innocence no less than four times in the 23rd chapter his gospel – three times by Pilate and once by the thief on the cross:



4 Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this man." Luke 23:4 (NIV)

14 and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Luke 23:14 (NIV)



22 For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him." Luke 23:22 (NIV)

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Luke 23:40-41 (NIV)

Surely, Pilate ought to have let Jesus go free. This cowardly unjust judge knew what he should do yet he does not do it. His double minded character comes out in our verses for today. In an effort to keep from offending the Jews yet still appease his conscience he devises a plan whereby the Jews might be satisfied and Jesus might go free. Aware that our Lord was the darling of the multitudes (triumphal entry) as well as the envy of the Jewish leaders, he suggests Jesus’ release as their one prisoner set free according to their custom during Passover. Surely, Pilate craftily assumed Jesus’ popularity with the masses would allow Him to be freed. He seems to say: “I am willing to condemn Him, and declare Him a criminal worthy of death, and a malefactor, in order to please you. But having pronounced Him a guilty criminal, what say you to my letting Him go free according to the Passover custom.” Weak men stand for nothing. Unfortunately for Pilate, he had no idea the influence the priests held over the fickle multitudes.

"If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything and at any time, and you would achieve nothing." Margaret Thatcher




What I glean from this:

• Truth is not relevant – Jesus is Truth.


• Jesus had committed no sin: 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Isaiah 53:9 (NIV)


• If my desire is solely to please people I will end up compromising my values – standing for nothing.

Sharing Bread John 18:37

SHARING BREAD

37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate.




Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."


John 18:37 (NIV)


Truth – true, real, actual, not counterfeit or feigned, open, frank, sincere, genuine, honest, factual, transparent, eternal – Jesus came into the world to testify to this. Indeed, He is Truth – not only pointing us to the Father through His life but also providing us access to the Father through His death and resurrection:

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NIV)

Our Lord is the Way because He is the Truth and He is the Life. Interestingly, Pilate rephrases his wording from “Are you the king of the Jews” in verse 33 to “You are a king, then!” – King not just of the Jews but of all who are on the side of Truth and listen to Him – even though assuredly Pilate did not mean it that way. Unbeknownst to him, even the unregenerate spoke correctly of our Lord’s position!

Jesus came not as a worldly king but a King over hearts and minds and souls. He did not come to wear a crown – save one of thorns – nor found an earthly monarchy rather to proclaim Truth. All friends of Truth listen to His voice as our Lord witnessed to the Truth. If one is an honest seeker of Truth, one will listen to Jesus. Our Lord entered into this world as a witness of the Truth concerning God, concerning man and concerning the Way of salvation. He came shedding light on this truth which had long been hidden – the doctrine of man and God, salvation, sin and holiness. His followers were not soldiers and warriors rather earnest seekers of the Truth. He did not come to amass armies, build fortified cities or seek storehouses of treasures save the priceless souls of men. He came to serve and not to be served. The God who spoke the world into creation stooped to save it - amazing:

10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:10 (NIV)



Lest we forget, Jesus tells us there is great rejoicing in heaven even over one soul who truly repents:



10 “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10 (NIV)



We as His followers are to be likeminded – His position is to be our position. Like our Master we are to be witnesses for God and Truth against sin and ignorance. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers, like our Master, are to warn of danger, direct to a safe harbor, provide hope for those who are lost, give a Word to sustain the weary, break the hard heart and heal the broken one.



“Never, for fear of feeble man, restrain your witness.” C.H. Spurgeon



We must not be afraid to stand without another as Jesus has promised to always be with us –indeed, that is how He ends the Great Commission to us all:



18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18-20 (NIV)




“Oh! that I had a trumpet voice to warn you. Oh! while you are dying, while you are sinking into perdition, may I not cry to you; may not these eyes weep for you! Take to heart, I beseech you, the realities of eternity. Oh, turn, turn! Why will you die? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and ye shall be saved.” Charles H. Spurgeon at Exeter Hall on Sunday morning, February 26, 1869




What I glean from this:



• Jesus came into the world to testify to the Truth. Jesus is Truth.


• Jesus is so other-worldly – His Kingdom is not earthly.


• Jesus came to serve not to be served.

Sharing Bread John 18:35-36

SHARING BREAD

35 "Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"




36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."


John 18:35-36 (NIV)


Pilate was obviously not pleased with Jesus’ reply to his earlier query of “Are you the king of the Jews?” His caustic response drips with disdain does it not? There was a depth of scorn contained in Pilate’s words demonstrating the haughty, high minded and fierce spirit that permeated the Romans of that day. A Roman man of sense and honor would have considered it a scandal to have been counted as a Jew. Unfortunately for Pilate he obviously remained unaware that haughty pride goes before a fall – prideful hearts are detestable in God’s sight. Pride is an insidious monster that has caused and continues to cause many a downfall. For that reason (and others) it appears number one on God’s hate list in Proverbs – a proud look (haughty eyes) reflects a prideful heart:

16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. Prov 6:16-19 (NIV)

Pilate’s answer also serves as an acknowledgement that he knew nothing against our Lord save the hatred of the Jews towards Him. He appears puzzled over their vehement disdain towards Christ. What could He have done to stir up such strong emotions from His own people? Pilate’s words must have stung our Lord – it was as if he was purposely needling Him. It is always especially painful and sad to be reminded of the fact if one is not embraced – or worse rejected - by family or people group – those who should be closest to us. Clearly this confirms John’s words earlier in his gospel:

10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. John 1:10-11 (NIV)

Surely Isaiah nailed it when he wrote:

3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3 (NIV)



Our Lord’s reply to Pilate’s sarcasm appears to go back to Pilate’s initial question. Jesus states He indeed has a kingdom but one entirely unlike the ones of the world. His kingdom is not at all dependent upon the world’s power or arms or money. It is a kingdom with origins from heaven and not from earth and is therefore it is far more glorious and incomprehensible. It is presently a spiritual kingdom over the heart and will and conscience.



“Whenever God rules over the human heart as King, there is the kingdom of God established.” Paul W. Harrison

It is a kingdom that is out of this world. This is what our Lord was referring to when He stated earlier in John:



23 But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” John 8:23 (NIV)


I think it incredibly interesting the two words He uses to begin the last sentence - “But now”. Right now His kingdom is from above but a day will come by and by after our Lord’s second advent when His kingdom will be a visible one over the whole earth and His saints will be used to rule the new world. And we will all lay low before God on High. I am reminded again of Isaiah’s words regarding the Servant of the Lord:



22 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I will beckon to the Gentiles, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders. 23 Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed." Isaiah 49:22-23 (NIV)



“When omniscience has lost its eyesight, and omnipotence falls back impotent, and Jehovah is driven from His throne, then the Church of Jesus Christ can afford to be despondent, but never until then. Despots may plan and armies may march, and the congresses of the nations may seem to think they are adjusting all the affairs of the world, but the mighty men of the earth are only the dust of the chariot wheels of God’s providence.” T. Dewitt Talmage



What I glean from this:



• God hates pride. 13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Prov 8:13 (NIV)


• Jesus was rejected by those He should have been closest to.


• Jesus is from above, I am from below – I better not forget that!