Hol
Well-known
I enjoyed this lesson from my Sunday School yesterday. I asked Tim our teacher if he was okay with me posting it and he said sure.
A little background, we write our own studies that are based on our church-wide Bible reading plan. I hope others find this a helpful study:
Application Focus: Receive the power of Jesus and bring peace to a broken world.
What to you are examples of true power? What picture does the word “power” evoke in your mind?
Do you think power goes naturally with peace? Are power and peace complementary or opposites?
BACKGROUND: When we read the stories in the Gospels about the last few days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, we naturally focus on the two major events: the crucifixion and the resurrection. However, at the end of his earthly ministry, we get a sense of the power that Jesus had as the Son of God, completely in tune with the Father’s plan. We also get a glimpse of how Jesus chooses to use that power.
Read: John 18:1-12 - When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples. 2 Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. 3 Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, *came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and *said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He *said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.” 10 Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?” 12 So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him,
the ravine of the Kidron - When Jesus went from the city of Jerusalem, and crossed the Brook Kidron. This small stream was the drainage from the temple, and would be reddish from the blood of thousands of Passover lambs. This would have been a vivid reminder to Jesus of His sacrifice soon to come.
a garden - After their last evening together, Jesus and the disciples left the upper room and went to the garden of olive trees that we know from the Gospel of Mark was called “Gethsemane” (Mark 14:32). What do you think they would have been thinking about? Luke 21:37 says that during this Passover week, Jesus spent the nights with His disciples on the Mount of Olives. Yet, probably not only during that week but they often met there. It was a familiar place. Here Jesus, having consecrated himself for the impending sacrifice, now made no attempt to hide from his enemies, but went to the place where Judas would normally expect to find him.
What were the disciples thinking about? Maybe they were thinking about the things Jesus had shared with them during supper (the last supper), and it seems at least some of them were tired and looking forward to a good night’s sleep.
Who was sent by the Jewish leaders to arrest Jesus? Based on the description, how large do you think the arresting group was and why?
3 Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, *came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Judas came to the garden with team of soldiers to seize and arrest Jesus. He led both a detachment of troops (a large number of Roman soldiers), and officers from the temple security force. Why they came with such force is not directly answered; the religious leaders or the Romans must have expected or feared some kind of battle or conflict.
Specifically a detachment can have three meanings. It is the Greek word for a Roman cohort and a cohort had six hundred men. If it was a cohort of auxiliary soldiers, a speira had one thousand men, two hundred and forty cavalry and seven hundred and sixty infantry. Sometimes, much more rarely, the word is used for the detachment of men called a maniple which was made up of two hundred men.
This detachment of troops was well armed with swords and clubs, and Jesus noted how unnecessary it was: Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me (Matthew 26:55).
When asked if he was Jesus, Jesus responded with the declaration “I am” (18:5), which any Jewish person of that time would have recognized as a reference to God’s revelation of his name to Moses at the Burning Bush (Exodus 3:14). What happened? How do you picture what happened? Why?
Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him: Judas hoped to catch Jesus by surprise, but this was impossible. Jesus’ entire life was prepared for this hour, and He was ready for it.
Whom are you seeking: Taking the lead, Jesus asked likely for two reasons. He wanted any violence to be directed to Him and not to His disciples. Secondly, Jesus also wanted Judas and the detachment of troops to explain their intentions.
Jesus of Nazareth: This was the common name that Jesus was known by. Jesus wasn’t normally identified by His role as a rabbi or a carpenter, and not by His apparent parentage (Jesus ben Joseph). Jesus chose and received the title that identified Him with Nazareth.
The soldiers thought they were coming to secretly to arrest a fleeing peasant. And now suddenly they find themselves actually confronted by Jesus, who was certainly not hiding or running away.
Verse 6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. When Jesus declared His divine identity (in the words I am), Judas and the soldiers all fell back. There was such a display of divine presence, majesty, and power in those two words that the enemies of Jesus were powerless to stand against Him. This shows that Jesus was completely in control of the situation. As a practical matter, Jesus did not have to go with this arresting army led by Judas. With God’s power expressed through His words alone, Jesus could have overpowered them and easily escaped.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ perhaps chose to give them a taste of his infinite power. Perhaps so they would understand they could not stand against our Lord unless He willingly agreed. They quickly saw that the very breath of his mouth confounded them, drove them back, and caused them to fall in the ground.
In Jesus’s life on this earth as a man – there is this amazing contrast between His lowliness even humiliation and the majesty of His glory. Let’s look at a few examples:
. Jesus was born as a humble baby, yet announced by angels
. Jesus was laid in a manger, yet signaled by a star.
. Jesus submitted to baptism as if He were a sinner, then heard the Divine voice of approval.
. Jesus slept when He was exhausted, but awoke to calm the storm.
. Jesus wept at a grave, then called the dead to life.
. Jesus surrendered to arrest, then declared “I am” and knocked all the troops over.
. Jesus died on a cross, but in it He defeated sin, death, and Satan.
Back to the text so - 7 Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.”
He asked them again: Jesus didn’t want the soldiers to panic and injure the disciples. Jesus called their attention back to Him, and asked them again a question they were probably hesitant to answer.
I have told you that I am: Jesus said the same words as before (I am, ego eimi) yet Judas and the troops did not fall to the ground as before. Catch this everyone - this shows that these were not magic words, they had all fallen backward to the ground at the conscious display of God’s power.
If you seek Me, let these go their way: After the display of power, Jesus did not continue to oppose His arrest. Jesus willingly gave Himself up to protect His disciples. This was the same sacrificial love that would find its ultimate display at the cross. It also shows why Jesus knocked the soldiers to the ground; the show of power was to protect the disciples, not Jesus Himself.
Let these go their way: “These are words of authority, rather than words of negotiation. I voluntarily give myself up to you, but you must not mess with any of my disciples. You just saw what happened to you – don’t push your luck here. Let them go about their business. I have already given you a sufficient proof of my power: I will not exert it in my own behalf, for I will lay down my life for the sheep; but I will not permit you to injure the least of these.
How did Peter respond to the arresting group? Based on our reasonable interpretation of the size of the arresting group, what do you think about Peter’s action? Why was he inspired to act the way he did? I love Peter, I love every part about him. He was no wimp – he’s the kind of Man every woman and every guy wants to have on their side when real trouble comes our way. I’ve read commentaries and analysis of this event and seemingly there is a consistent critique of Peter’s brash and even poor reactive behavior. In my mind they’ve all completely missed his heart. Peter was a man of action – something sorely missing in the church today. And yes I could be absolutely wrong certainly if this were the case with all men.
Put your sword into the sheath: Jesus did not praise Peter for what he did; He told him to stop. This was to protect Peter as much as to protect those who came to arrest Jesus. Most of all, it was that Jesus could drink the cup the Father gave to Jesus, the measure of suffering and judgment He would endure.
Peter’s impulsive action could have easily erupted into a serious conflict; but Peter knew He was protecting God himself. But even though there was no doubt in Peter’s mind that the battle was theirs to win, Jesus would allow nothing to stand in the way of his bringing to completion the work which his Father had given him to do.
John 18:33-38 - 33 Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate *said to Him, “What is truth?”
What does Pilate want to know when he speaks to Jesus privately? How does Jesus answer his inquiry?
Pilate entered again into the Praetorium : John combined two appearances of Jesus before Pilate, separated by an appearance of Jesus before Herod Antipas (Luke 23:8-12). Pilate hoped to give this problem to Herod because he ruled over Galilee, where Jesus was from. Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate, and this is the likely start of the second appearance.
Are You the King of the Jews ?: Pilate was already involved in this case, having sent a detachment of many Roman troops to arrest Jesus (John 18:3). This was his first look at the Man the religious leaders claimed was dangerous. Yet, Pilate’s question revealed doubt.
Pilate had already seen wild revolutionaries who claimed to be kings. He asked this question because Jesus didn’t look like a revolutionary or a criminal. These were the only types who would be foolish enough to claim to be the King of the Jews in the face of Roman domination. Pilate had seen these kinds of men before, and yet somehow knew Jesus was not like them.
Pilate had expected to meet a sullen or belligerent rebel and met instead the calm majesty of confident superiority. He could not reconcile the character of the prisoner with the charge brought against him.
Are you speaking for yourself: Jesus wanted to know if Pilate really wanted to know or if he asked the question on behalf of those who already condemned Jesus. The answer could be different depending on where his question came from.
What have You done: Pilate said that he, as a Roman, had no interest in Jewish spiritual or social ideas. Pilate simply understood that if the religious leaders wanted Jesus dead, He must have done something wrong and he wanted to find out what that was.
Does Jesus affirm that he is a king? What sort of king? Why do you think Jesus shifted the topic of the conversation from kingdom to truth? Is there a power connected with knowing and doing the truth?
Jesus explains His kingdom to Pilate….
My kingdom is not of this world: Jesus plainly told Pilate that He was a king and could say, My kingdom. He also plainly told Pilate that His kingdom was not a rival political kingdom; it was and is not of this world.
In contrast to the kingdoms of this world, the kingdom of Jesus has peace for its foundation. Romans thought they knew all about kingdoms and their powers and strength through armies, navies, swords, and battles. But Jesus instead educated Pilate that His kingdom- though not of this world – was mightier than Rome and would continue to expand and influence when Rome passed away.
The heavenly kingdom, is exemplified by Jesus and the cross, is based on love, sacrifice, humility, and righteousness – and this was and is to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Gentiles foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:23).
Are You a king then: This was the statement that interested Pilate. He didn’t mind religious leaders among the Jews, even crazy ones, as long as they kept the peace and did not challenge the rule of Rome. A rival king might challenge, and Pilate wanted to investigate this.
Spurgeon says “The question could scarcely have been more sarcastic. Pilate, in his heart, despised the Jews as such, but here was a poor Jew, persecuted by his own people, helpless and friendless; it sounded like mockery to talk of a kingdom in connection with him.”
You say rightly that I am a king: Jesus did not deny that He was a king. He insisted that He was born a king, and to be a different kind of King. He came to be a King of Truth, that He should bear witness to the truth.
For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth: Decades after this, Paul urged young Timothy with these words: Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate (1 Timothy 6:13). The good confession of Jesus was that He was a king, His kingdom came from heaven, and that it was a kingdom of eternal truth in contrast to earthly power.
The disciples meet the risen Jesus - Read: John 20:19-22 - 19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
The same day at evening: This happened the very same day that Mary found the tomb empty and first met the resurrected Jesus. We are actually told of several appearances of Jesus on the resurrection day.
· Mary Magdalene (John 20:14-16).
· The other women (Matthew 28:9-10). (this is a bit confusing – i.e. was it both Marys (Mary Magdalene & Mary
of Bethany) – who Jesus appeared to once or was two separate appearances? Or what about the beginning of
Mark 16 where he says there were 3 women – Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome?
· The 2 guys on the road to Emmaus (Mark 16:12-13, Luke 24:13-32).
· Peter (Luke 24:33-35, 1 Corinthians 15:5). - He was seen by Cephas: Jesus made a special resurrection appearance
to Peter (Luke 24:34). We are not told much about this visit, but we can assume there was some special need for
comfort and restoration in Peter that Jesus ministered to
· And here to the ten disciples, Thomas being absent (John 20:19-23).
What are ways Jesus demonstrated his power for the disciples when he appeared to them? (He could go anywhere he wanted; his body showed the marks of his defeat of death)
How did his appearance affect the disciples? Spurgeon Said - “Our Master came to his cowardly, faithless disciples, and stood in the midst of them, uttering the cheering salutation, ‘Peace be unto you!’ My soul, why should he not come to thee, though thou be the most unworthy of all whom he has bought with his blood?”
What message does Jesus give the disciples in this critical first meeting after resurrection? What commission does Jesus given the disciples? What does Jesus suggest his power is for?
Peace to you! Jesus presented them with a blessing of His peace. From Luke 24:36 Perhaps the emphasis there was to calm their fear and shock at the moment. Jesus repeats this twice for special emphasis. The resurrected Jesus brings peace.
as the Father has sent Me, I also send you - Jesus gave His disciples a mission, to continue His work on this earth. This was the commission to do what Jesus had already prayed for in John 17:18: As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
“Receive the Holy Spirit” – Here Jesus gave His disciples the Holy Spirit, which brought them fully into a new life with the full ability to carry out their mission. It seems John made a deliberate connection between this breathing on the disciples and when at creation God breathed life into man. This was a work of re-creation, even as God breathed life into the first man. This is where the disciples were born again.
Application
In your Christian life, are you more like the disciples before their meeting with Jesus (frightened, secluded) or after their meeting (joyous, peaceful, empowered to go out)? Why?
A little background, we write our own studies that are based on our church-wide Bible reading plan. I hope others find this a helpful study:
Application Focus: Receive the power of Jesus and bring peace to a broken world.
What to you are examples of true power? What picture does the word “power” evoke in your mind?
Do you think power goes naturally with peace? Are power and peace complementary or opposites?
BACKGROUND: When we read the stories in the Gospels about the last few days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, we naturally focus on the two major events: the crucifixion and the resurrection. However, at the end of his earthly ministry, we get a sense of the power that Jesus had as the Son of God, completely in tune with the Father’s plan. We also get a glimpse of how Jesus chooses to use that power.
Read: John 18:1-12 - When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples. 2 Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. 3 Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, *came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and *said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He *said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.” 10 Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?” 12 So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him,
the ravine of the Kidron - When Jesus went from the city of Jerusalem, and crossed the Brook Kidron. This small stream was the drainage from the temple, and would be reddish from the blood of thousands of Passover lambs. This would have been a vivid reminder to Jesus of His sacrifice soon to come.
a garden - After their last evening together, Jesus and the disciples left the upper room and went to the garden of olive trees that we know from the Gospel of Mark was called “Gethsemane” (Mark 14:32). What do you think they would have been thinking about? Luke 21:37 says that during this Passover week, Jesus spent the nights with His disciples on the Mount of Olives. Yet, probably not only during that week but they often met there. It was a familiar place. Here Jesus, having consecrated himself for the impending sacrifice, now made no attempt to hide from his enemies, but went to the place where Judas would normally expect to find him.
What were the disciples thinking about? Maybe they were thinking about the things Jesus had shared with them during supper (the last supper), and it seems at least some of them were tired and looking forward to a good night’s sleep.
Who was sent by the Jewish leaders to arrest Jesus? Based on the description, how large do you think the arresting group was and why?
3 Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, *came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Judas came to the garden with team of soldiers to seize and arrest Jesus. He led both a detachment of troops (a large number of Roman soldiers), and officers from the temple security force. Why they came with such force is not directly answered; the religious leaders or the Romans must have expected or feared some kind of battle or conflict.
Specifically a detachment can have three meanings. It is the Greek word for a Roman cohort and a cohort had six hundred men. If it was a cohort of auxiliary soldiers, a speira had one thousand men, two hundred and forty cavalry and seven hundred and sixty infantry. Sometimes, much more rarely, the word is used for the detachment of men called a maniple which was made up of two hundred men.
This detachment of troops was well armed with swords and clubs, and Jesus noted how unnecessary it was: Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me (Matthew 26:55).
When asked if he was Jesus, Jesus responded with the declaration “I am” (18:5), which any Jewish person of that time would have recognized as a reference to God’s revelation of his name to Moses at the Burning Bush (Exodus 3:14). What happened? How do you picture what happened? Why?
Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him: Judas hoped to catch Jesus by surprise, but this was impossible. Jesus’ entire life was prepared for this hour, and He was ready for it.
Whom are you seeking: Taking the lead, Jesus asked likely for two reasons. He wanted any violence to be directed to Him and not to His disciples. Secondly, Jesus also wanted Judas and the detachment of troops to explain their intentions.
Jesus of Nazareth: This was the common name that Jesus was known by. Jesus wasn’t normally identified by His role as a rabbi or a carpenter, and not by His apparent parentage (Jesus ben Joseph). Jesus chose and received the title that identified Him with Nazareth.
The soldiers thought they were coming to secretly to arrest a fleeing peasant. And now suddenly they find themselves actually confronted by Jesus, who was certainly not hiding or running away.
Verse 6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. When Jesus declared His divine identity (in the words I am), Judas and the soldiers all fell back. There was such a display of divine presence, majesty, and power in those two words that the enemies of Jesus were powerless to stand against Him. This shows that Jesus was completely in control of the situation. As a practical matter, Jesus did not have to go with this arresting army led by Judas. With God’s power expressed through His words alone, Jesus could have overpowered them and easily escaped.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ perhaps chose to give them a taste of his infinite power. Perhaps so they would understand they could not stand against our Lord unless He willingly agreed. They quickly saw that the very breath of his mouth confounded them, drove them back, and caused them to fall in the ground.
In Jesus’s life on this earth as a man – there is this amazing contrast between His lowliness even humiliation and the majesty of His glory. Let’s look at a few examples:
. Jesus was born as a humble baby, yet announced by angels
. Jesus was laid in a manger, yet signaled by a star.
. Jesus submitted to baptism as if He were a sinner, then heard the Divine voice of approval.
. Jesus slept when He was exhausted, but awoke to calm the storm.
. Jesus wept at a grave, then called the dead to life.
. Jesus surrendered to arrest, then declared “I am” and knocked all the troops over.
. Jesus died on a cross, but in it He defeated sin, death, and Satan.
Back to the text so - 7 Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.”
He asked them again: Jesus didn’t want the soldiers to panic and injure the disciples. Jesus called their attention back to Him, and asked them again a question they were probably hesitant to answer.
I have told you that I am: Jesus said the same words as before (I am, ego eimi) yet Judas and the troops did not fall to the ground as before. Catch this everyone - this shows that these were not magic words, they had all fallen backward to the ground at the conscious display of God’s power.
If you seek Me, let these go their way: After the display of power, Jesus did not continue to oppose His arrest. Jesus willingly gave Himself up to protect His disciples. This was the same sacrificial love that would find its ultimate display at the cross. It also shows why Jesus knocked the soldiers to the ground; the show of power was to protect the disciples, not Jesus Himself.
Let these go their way: “These are words of authority, rather than words of negotiation. I voluntarily give myself up to you, but you must not mess with any of my disciples. You just saw what happened to you – don’t push your luck here. Let them go about their business. I have already given you a sufficient proof of my power: I will not exert it in my own behalf, for I will lay down my life for the sheep; but I will not permit you to injure the least of these.
How did Peter respond to the arresting group? Based on our reasonable interpretation of the size of the arresting group, what do you think about Peter’s action? Why was he inspired to act the way he did? I love Peter, I love every part about him. He was no wimp – he’s the kind of Man every woman and every guy wants to have on their side when real trouble comes our way. I’ve read commentaries and analysis of this event and seemingly there is a consistent critique of Peter’s brash and even poor reactive behavior. In my mind they’ve all completely missed his heart. Peter was a man of action – something sorely missing in the church today. And yes I could be absolutely wrong certainly if this were the case with all men.
Put your sword into the sheath: Jesus did not praise Peter for what he did; He told him to stop. This was to protect Peter as much as to protect those who came to arrest Jesus. Most of all, it was that Jesus could drink the cup the Father gave to Jesus, the measure of suffering and judgment He would endure.
Peter’s impulsive action could have easily erupted into a serious conflict; but Peter knew He was protecting God himself. But even though there was no doubt in Peter’s mind that the battle was theirs to win, Jesus would allow nothing to stand in the way of his bringing to completion the work which his Father had given him to do.
John 18:33-38 - 33 Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate *said to Him, “What is truth?”
What does Pilate want to know when he speaks to Jesus privately? How does Jesus answer his inquiry?
Pilate entered again into the Praetorium : John combined two appearances of Jesus before Pilate, separated by an appearance of Jesus before Herod Antipas (Luke 23:8-12). Pilate hoped to give this problem to Herod because he ruled over Galilee, where Jesus was from. Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate, and this is the likely start of the second appearance.
Are You the King of the Jews ?: Pilate was already involved in this case, having sent a detachment of many Roman troops to arrest Jesus (John 18:3). This was his first look at the Man the religious leaders claimed was dangerous. Yet, Pilate’s question revealed doubt.
Pilate had already seen wild revolutionaries who claimed to be kings. He asked this question because Jesus didn’t look like a revolutionary or a criminal. These were the only types who would be foolish enough to claim to be the King of the Jews in the face of Roman domination. Pilate had seen these kinds of men before, and yet somehow knew Jesus was not like them.
Pilate had expected to meet a sullen or belligerent rebel and met instead the calm majesty of confident superiority. He could not reconcile the character of the prisoner with the charge brought against him.
Are you speaking for yourself: Jesus wanted to know if Pilate really wanted to know or if he asked the question on behalf of those who already condemned Jesus. The answer could be different depending on where his question came from.
What have You done: Pilate said that he, as a Roman, had no interest in Jewish spiritual or social ideas. Pilate simply understood that if the religious leaders wanted Jesus dead, He must have done something wrong and he wanted to find out what that was.
Does Jesus affirm that he is a king? What sort of king? Why do you think Jesus shifted the topic of the conversation from kingdom to truth? Is there a power connected with knowing and doing the truth?
Jesus explains His kingdom to Pilate….
My kingdom is not of this world: Jesus plainly told Pilate that He was a king and could say, My kingdom. He also plainly told Pilate that His kingdom was not a rival political kingdom; it was and is not of this world.
In contrast to the kingdoms of this world, the kingdom of Jesus has peace for its foundation. Romans thought they knew all about kingdoms and their powers and strength through armies, navies, swords, and battles. But Jesus instead educated Pilate that His kingdom- though not of this world – was mightier than Rome and would continue to expand and influence when Rome passed away.
The heavenly kingdom, is exemplified by Jesus and the cross, is based on love, sacrifice, humility, and righteousness – and this was and is to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Gentiles foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:23).
Are You a king then: This was the statement that interested Pilate. He didn’t mind religious leaders among the Jews, even crazy ones, as long as they kept the peace and did not challenge the rule of Rome. A rival king might challenge, and Pilate wanted to investigate this.
Spurgeon says “The question could scarcely have been more sarcastic. Pilate, in his heart, despised the Jews as such, but here was a poor Jew, persecuted by his own people, helpless and friendless; it sounded like mockery to talk of a kingdom in connection with him.”
You say rightly that I am a king: Jesus did not deny that He was a king. He insisted that He was born a king, and to be a different kind of King. He came to be a King of Truth, that He should bear witness to the truth.
For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth: Decades after this, Paul urged young Timothy with these words: Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate (1 Timothy 6:13). The good confession of Jesus was that He was a king, His kingdom came from heaven, and that it was a kingdom of eternal truth in contrast to earthly power.
The disciples meet the risen Jesus - Read: John 20:19-22 - 19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
The same day at evening: This happened the very same day that Mary found the tomb empty and first met the resurrected Jesus. We are actually told of several appearances of Jesus on the resurrection day.
· Mary Magdalene (John 20:14-16).
· The other women (Matthew 28:9-10). (this is a bit confusing – i.e. was it both Marys (Mary Magdalene & Mary
of Bethany) – who Jesus appeared to once or was two separate appearances? Or what about the beginning of
Mark 16 where he says there were 3 women – Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome?
· The 2 guys on the road to Emmaus (Mark 16:12-13, Luke 24:13-32).
· Peter (Luke 24:33-35, 1 Corinthians 15:5). - He was seen by Cephas: Jesus made a special resurrection appearance
to Peter (Luke 24:34). We are not told much about this visit, but we can assume there was some special need for
comfort and restoration in Peter that Jesus ministered to
· And here to the ten disciples, Thomas being absent (John 20:19-23).
What are ways Jesus demonstrated his power for the disciples when he appeared to them? (He could go anywhere he wanted; his body showed the marks of his defeat of death)
How did his appearance affect the disciples? Spurgeon Said - “Our Master came to his cowardly, faithless disciples, and stood in the midst of them, uttering the cheering salutation, ‘Peace be unto you!’ My soul, why should he not come to thee, though thou be the most unworthy of all whom he has bought with his blood?”
What message does Jesus give the disciples in this critical first meeting after resurrection? What commission does Jesus given the disciples? What does Jesus suggest his power is for?
Peace to you! Jesus presented them with a blessing of His peace. From Luke 24:36 Perhaps the emphasis there was to calm their fear and shock at the moment. Jesus repeats this twice for special emphasis. The resurrected Jesus brings peace.
as the Father has sent Me, I also send you - Jesus gave His disciples a mission, to continue His work on this earth. This was the commission to do what Jesus had already prayed for in John 17:18: As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
“Receive the Holy Spirit” – Here Jesus gave His disciples the Holy Spirit, which brought them fully into a new life with the full ability to carry out their mission. It seems John made a deliberate connection between this breathing on the disciples and when at creation God breathed life into man. This was a work of re-creation, even as God breathed life into the first man. This is where the disciples were born again.
Application
In your Christian life, are you more like the disciples before their meeting with Jesus (frightened, secluded) or after their meeting (joyous, peaceful, empowered to go out)? Why?
We rotate teachers and a small team puts together outlines. I really liked how Tim drew together how peaceful and powerful Jesus is.
