28 Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”
30 “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.”
31 Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”
“But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. 32 This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die.
33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”
35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests 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 Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
38 “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there 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’?”
40 They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.
Personal Reflection and Discussion
(All taken from the Serendipity Bible)
- Were you ever blamed for something you didn’t do?
- Where was Jesus taken next? When? Why are the Jewish leaders rushing this trial?
- What is the irony of verse 28?
- What reason do they finally give Pilate for bringing Jesus to him (vv. 33-34)? Why would Pilate take this seriously? How are Pilate’s fears like those of the Jewish leaders in 11:48? What does Jesus tell Pilate about his kingdom (vs. 36-37)? Who is included in it? What do you think Pilate meant by his concerns in verse 38?
- In his pursuit of “truth,” is Pilate trying to absolve himself, or Jesus? Why do you think so?
- Since both Peter and Pilate caved in under pressure, why do we tend to scorn Pilate but honor Peter?
- Do you see any of Pilate’s qualities in yourself?
- How does Barabbas’ freedom at Christ’s expense illustrate the Gospel?
Prayer
Jesus, many are in pursuit of truth but many don’t like what your truth includes or can’t understand your truth. People don’t understand for many reasons. Some reject truth because of its poor representative. Others because they don’t understand how an “all-powerful” God can be “weak” enough to die. And still those who want to be in control and are better off without guidelines. God, allow us to have a clearer understanding that truth = life, that truth = redemption, that truth = you. Thank you for the Word, the all-governing power behind all things. Help us to display to others that Your Word is Love and is a lamp to our feet and a light for our paths. And more importantly, thank you for God’s riches at Your expense.
Greek Word of the Day
English Word: truth (225) | Transliterated Word: Aletheia (al-ay-thi-a)
Truth – truly
What is not concealed, but open and known; hence truth
Divine truth or the faith and practice of the true religion is called “truth” either as being true in itself and derived from the true God, or as declaring the existence and will of the one true God, in opposition to the worship of false idols. Hence aletheia comes to mean divine truth, gospel truth, as opposed to heathen and Jewish fables.
Family Engagement Activity
Today, make two signs which say “True” and “False” (or T and F if your child cannot read yet). You may like to simply use pieces of paper or index cards taped to a popsicle stick. Show your child which sign is “true” and which is “false,” and explain what the words mean. Now tell your child some things that might be true or untrue while they hold up the correct sign for what you say. You can take turns where they say things and you hold up the signs, as well. It can be any kind of trivia but should end with “Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!” and hopefully they answer accordingly. Have some fun with this. Maybe after every incorrect answer they have to stick their head in whipped cream, be squirted with water, or move forward an extra step.
OR
Display some form of the truth of Christ using sidewalk chalk or decorating your windows with window markers. Keep in mind that if you are putting it on your vehicles, it’s important to display Christ-likeness in your driving habits as well!!
Going Activities To Consider
As we are 10 days away from the completion of Meeting Jesus, pray to God asking Him to guide you where he wants you to be nurtured next! There are many great personal devotional books, self-study Bibles (we highly recommend the Concordia Self-Study Bible), and small group materials available online and through your Church. If you are a member of Holy Cross, contact Brandon Grelle at bgrelle@hclc.info for information. We hope to have equipped and trained you through this process to better understand how to not only read scripture, but how to study the words more thoroughly, apply the message more often and teach the truth more effectively. We will be offering another daily study in mid-August! 10 more days!!