Hypocrisy and hatred John 18 v 28-32
Is there anything about Jesus you find difficult to like? Think back to when you weren’t a real Christian, if you can. What was it about Jesus that, to be honest, you just didn’t like?
Outside and inside
Read John 1828:1
• Why did the Jewish leaders stay outside the Roman governor’s palace (the Praetorium)?
It’s an irony that they minded so much about a bit of ritual defilement (going into a Gentile’s house) while not caring about judicial murder.
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TIME OUT
The whole passage from John 18:28 alternates between “outside” and “inside” the Praetorium.
Look through the passage to see the seven different scenes, four outside and three inside.
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The blank charge sheet
Read John 18:29
• What question does Pilate ask?
• How do they answer?
They avoid the question! They’ve got nothing concrete to bring to Pilate to get a conviction, so they just suggest to Pilate that he can trust them, that they wouldn’t waste his time with some trumped-up charge. Ironically, of course, that’s exactly
what they are doing!
Notice the words “hand over”. This is an important theme. Those who think they are the people of God hand their rightful
King over to the Gentile ruler. So they prove they aren’t really the people of God at all.
Which law?
Read John 18:31
There is a play on the word “law” (the second time, NIV translates it “right”). Jesus is not going to be condemned under
God’s law (Jewish law) but under Gentile law. This reinforces His innocence; God’s law has nothing against Him.
Crucified
Read John 18:31
• Why did the Jewish leaders hand Jesus over to Pilate?
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TIME OUT... Read John 3:14 and John 12:32.
• Why was it specifically necessary for Jesus to die by being crucified ?
Notice the Old Testament picture of the bronze snake (Numbers 21:8). “Lifted up” has the double meaning of “lifted up
in glory” and “lifted up on a cross”.
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PRAY THRU
Think about hypocrisy. How easy it is to pretend to keep religious laws while our hearts are wrong towards God!
Pray for a pure heart.
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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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