An Arrest and Shady Trial
John 18
The time has come. After teaching and pouring into His followers, now is the time to truly rescue His people. Even though the rescue will not look like they thought it would, it is coming. When Jesus is betrayed, arrested, and sentenced to death, He proves to be far more than those in charge expected. He is more than a political revolutionary; He is the true King. He is not a rogue, wandering preacher; He is the one proclaiming Truth. He is not just a carpenter from Nazareth; He is God, the great “I AM”!
Jesus is confronted in the garden of Gethsemane and the arresting soldiers ask if He is Jesus. His response is simply, I AM! The soldiers and accompanying mob were not ready for those words and the power they embodied! Jesus’ statement carried so much power that those around Him fell to the ground. (18:5-6) Jesus, who is God himself, carrying all the authority of Heaven choses to peacefully lay it all down to save sinful mankind!
After His arrest, Jesus is taken to the Jewish High Priest for questioning. (18:12-13) Most people would have been intimidated by this interrogation, but Jesus does not back down from anything He said or did during His ministry. He even goes so far as to challenge His accusers to produce witnesses. (18:21) Full of frustration and jealousy, wanting to have Jesus killed, the Jewish leaders take Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor, to be sentenced!
Pilate isn’t stupid. He knows the Jewish leaders have an angle. The Jews frame Jesus as a threat to Roman power, which is odd. Jews don’t normally help Rome get rid of its problems. So Pilate asks Jesus: “Are you the King of the Jews?” and “What have you done?” (18:33)
Jesus explains that He is the King of Truth, and His truth sets people free (18:37). Pilate rejects that there is any truth other than power and political expediency (18:38). His point is proven when he offers the Jews a choice between freeing Barrabas, a known threat to Rome, and Jesus, whose kingdom is not of this world. If the Jews are really concerned about Rome, they will free Jesus. But if it is all about politics and power, they will free Barabbas. They show their hand and choose Barabbas (18:40).
Power and control have been in play going back to the Garden of Eden and the first sin. The desire to be like God and know what God knows - pride! It has been the root of humanity’s downfall forever! Jesus came to fix that broken system! Not only does Jesus believe in this truth; He came to die for it! His death makes it a reality! The King of Truth was willing to die so you and I could walk in the Truth!