My Morning Bible Reading & Devotion

Peter’s Second and Third Denials

25 Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, “You’re not one of his disciples, are you?”

He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.”

26 But one of the household slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?” 27 Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.

Jesus’ Trial before Pilate

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. 39 But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?”

40 But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)

Jesus Sentenced to Death

19 Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. 2 The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. 3 “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face.

4 Pilate went outside again and said to the people, “I am going to bring him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find him not guilty.” 5 Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said, “Look, here is the man!”

6 When they saw him, the leading priests and Temple guards began shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

“Take him yourselves and crucify him,” Pilate said. “I find him not guilty.”

7 The Jewish leaders replied, “By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.”

8 When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever. 9 He took Jesus back into the headquarters again and asked him, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer. 10 “Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?”

11 Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”

12 Then Pilate tried to release him, but the Jewish leaders shouted, “If you release this man, you are no ‘friend of Caesar.’ Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar.”

13 When they said this, Pilate brought Jesus out to them again. Then Pilate sat down on the judgment seat on the platform that is called the Stone Pavement (in Hebrew, Gabbatha). 14 It was now about noon on the day of preparation for the Passover. And Pilate said to the people, “Look, here is your king!”

15 “Away with him,” they yelled. “Away with him! Crucify him!”

“What? Crucify your king?” Pilate asked.

“We have no king but Caesar,” the leading priests shouted back.

16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.

The Crucifixion

So they took Jesus away. 17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). 18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19 And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.

21 Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’”

22 Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.”

______________________________________________________________________

1. Peter's Failure Is Not the End of His Story

John records Peter denying Jesus three times just as Jesus predicted.

Peter was sincere when he declared that he would die for Jesus, but when pressure came, fear won. Many believers can relate. We may stand boldly in church, but find it harder to speak or act for Christ when it costs us something.

The encouraging truth is that Peter's denial was not the final chapter. Jesus would later restore him and use him mightily.

Application: Your worst failure does not have to define your future usefulness to God.

2. Jesus Remains in Control

Throughout the trial, Pilate appears to hold the power. Yet John repeatedly shows that Jesus is not a helpless victim.

When Pilate says he has authority to release or crucify Him, Jesus responds:

"You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above." (John 19:11)

Earthly rulers, governments, and circumstances may seem to control events, but God remains sovereign.

Application: When life feels chaotic or unfair, remember that God is never surprised and never loses control.

3. The Crowd Chose Caesar Over Christ

One of the most tragic statements in Scripture comes from the chief priests:

"We have no king but Caesar." (John 19:15)

The religious leaders rejected their Messiah and pledged loyalty to an earthly ruler.

It's easy to condemn them, but every generation faces the same choice. We must decide whether Christ truly reigns in our hearts or whether something else occupies the throne.

Application: Anything that becomes more important than obedience to Christ can become a rival king.

4. Pilate Knew the Truth but Refused to Act on It

Pilate repeatedly declared that he found no guilt in Jesus, yet he still handed Him over to be crucified.

Knowledge alone is not enough. A person can recognize truth and still refuse to submit to it.

Application: The right response to truth is not merely agreement but obedience.

5. The Sign Above the Cross Declared More Than Pilate Knew

Pilate ordered the inscription:

"Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."

He intended it as a charge against Jesus, perhaps even as a jab at the Jewish leaders. Yet God used it to proclaim a deeper truth.

Jesus was not merely King of the Jews. He is King of kings and Lord of lords.

Even those opposing God's purposes ended up declaring His truth.

Application: God can accomplish His purposes through circumstances and people who do not even realize they are serving His plan.

Questions for Reflection

1. In what situations am I most tempted to be silent about my faith like Peter?

2. Where do I need to trust God's sovereignty instead of worrying about circumstances?

3. Is there anything competing with Christ for first place in my life?

4. Am I merely acknowledging God's truth, or am I obeying it?

5. How have I seen God work through difficult situations for His purposes?

Practical Tips for Today

• When you fail, run toward Christ instead of away from Him.

• Pray for courage to stand for your faith in small daily opportunities.

• Remember that God is working even when circumstances seem unfair.

• Examine your priorities and ask whether Jesus truly occupies first place.

• Thank God that His plans cannot be thwarted by human opposition.

Morning Prayer

Father, thank You for the example of Jesus standing faithfully in the face of suffering and injustice. Forgive me for the times I have acted more like Peter than like Christ. Give me courage to stand for You when I am afraid and wisdom to trust Your sovereignty when life seems out of control. Help me to place Jesus above every other loyalty and to follow Him in both word and action. Thank You that Your purposes cannot fail and that Your grace is greater than my failures. 

Help me to have a heart of gratitude for all I have through Jesus. May I place Him at the center of my life.

I pray for our class on Sunday, asking that You give us insight and spiritual understanding.

Give me the resolve to trust You so totally that I can say, “But if not, I will still trust the Lord!?”

In Jesus' name, Amen.

|   About |   Baseball   |  Devotions  | My Blog   |   Music   |  Photo Albums |