John 18:28-38
Truth on Trial
Daily S.O.A.P. Prompts
S – What verse stands out to me today?
O – What is God revealing about Jesus?
A – How should this change my life today?
P – What is my prayer in response?
Scripture
(John 18:28-38, NLT) 28 Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover. 29 So Pilate, the governor, went out to them and asked, “What is your charge against this man?” 30 “We wouldn’t have handed him over to you if he weren’t a criminal!” they retorted. 31 “Then take him away and judge him by your own law,” Pilate told them. “Only the Romans are permitted to execute someone,” the Jewish leaders replied. 32 (This fulfilled Jesus’ prediction about the way he would die.) 33 Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him. 34 Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?” 35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” 37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” 38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime.
Observation
Jesus’ trial was done at night. I’m sure to keep it out of the public eye. The trial “ended in the early hours of the morning.”
Jesus is taken to Pilate, the Roman governor.
The Jewish leaders want Pilate to execute Jesus. Pilate interrogates Jesus and proclaims, “He is not guilty of any crime.”
In the interrogation Jesus explains that his Kingdom is not an earthly Kingdom. He explains that he came to testify to the truth, and all who love the truth will recognize what he says.
Pilate, still skeptical, asks, "What is truth?”
Application
Jesus never mounts a defense. He is falsely accused, and he embraces the purposed plan that leads to his death. My instinct is to defend myself.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, in the face of slanderous and false accusations, your son, Jesus, continues to remain faithful to his mission. His character reflects your character. Thank you for remaining true in a false world. I know that my instinct would always be to defend myself when falsely accused. I know this isn’t always wrong. Help me to discern when I am supposed to stand up and fight and when I am supposed to remain silent. I will definitely need your help with this. I surrender my will to your will. In Jesus' name, amen.
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