Hated without reason John 18 v 19-24
Sometimes you and I have it coming to us. We behave stupidly and ought not to be surprised when people don’t like us. We can’t blame people for treating us badly when we’ve treated them badly. But Jesus was hated with no valid reason at all.
Open teaching
Read John 18:19
The “high priest” in verse 19 is still Annas. Even when people had retired from being high priest they kept the title.
• What exactly does Annas ask about in v 19?
He wants to know what kind of a political movement this is—and it's a threatening question for people like Peter.
• How does Jesus answer (v 20)?
Of course, Jesus did instruct His disciples privately (such as in chapters 13–16). But what He said privately was the same message as the one He gave publicly. He had no secret agenda, and nothing to hide.
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TIME OUT... 2 Corinthians 4:2.
Think about how our openness about the gospel ought to follow the brave openness of Jesus. There ought to be no part of the Bible’s teaching that we keep secret, or only talk about when we’re with people who are already Christians.
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Open testimony
Read John 18:21
• Who will be able to report what Jesus has taught?
Notice that this is exactly what Peter has not done (John 18:15) and will not do (John 18:25) in his denials.
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APPLY
We cannot give eye-witness testimony to Jesus. Only the apostles could do that. But we can speak up accurately and bravely to tell people what the apostles have told us Jesus said, found in the New Testament. We ought to do that.
• How can you do this today?
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Unfair condemnation
Read John 18:22
• Why is the official angry?
• How does Jesus defend Himself?
Notice the word “testify”. He is inviting them to give eye-witness testimony to prove He is wrong, but they can’t. This shows the trial is completely unfair.
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PRAY THRU
Thank the Lord Jesus for suffering this unreasonable hatred on His way to the cross, for our sake.
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This devotional is taken from Explore—a daily Bible-reading devotional from the good book company which enables you to engage with Scripture and which will encourage, equip and inspire you to live for Christ. Explore features contributions from pastors such as Dr Timothy Keller, Mike McKinley and Tim Chester.
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