In the Beginning: The Book of John

(John 18:25-32 [HCSB])

25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, “You aren’t one of His disciples too, are you? ”

He denied it and said, “I am not! ”

26 One of the high priest’s slaves, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden? ”

27 Peter then denied it again. Immediately a rooster crowed.

28 Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They did not enter the headquarters themselves; otherwise they would be defiled and unable to eat the Passover.

29 Then Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge do you bring against this man? ”

30 They answered him, “If this man weren’t a criminal, we wouldn’t have handed Him over to you.” 31 So Pilate told them, “Take Him yourselves and judge Him according to your law.”

“It’s not legal for us to put anyone to death,” the Jews declared.

32 They said this so that Jesus’ words might be fulfilled signifying what kind of death He was going to die.

Rounds two and three

From this we should take away the understanding, and the reassurance, that all of what takes place in Scripture fulfills prophecy and serves to glorify God. Encourage one another.

Nothing is without Godly purpose … nothing! However, do not confuse this with every miniscule act “happening for a reason” so that we might dodge personal accountability. Those are excuses for our behavior, not reasons. Note: Peter was the one who opened his mouth and denied Jesus even though it was prophesied.

Things happen as consequences of our actions; they should be treated as such and learned from. To illustrate grace, even the cataclysmic failure of Peter contained within it the opportunity for atonement and redemption by Jesus when He appeared to His Disciples on the shores of Galilee for breakfast after the resurrection. We must see ourselves as worthy of redemption, at all times, even though we all fall miserably short of glorifying our Savior. I say this because I struggle frequently with a spirit of unworthiness and heaviness. We all do.

What we can learn from the trial, and Pilate’s actions, goes directly to the reality of a system of laws that enshrines punishment, and one that can be manipulated by the powerful. This is the way of the world and the way of the flesh. So be it. Our God is the God of ALL things! What we can learn from Jesus is the reality of grace, and the eternal power of salvation. Only grace truly rewards; one can never manipulate God, and His love for us. In the person of Jesus Christ He is the Lion and the Lamb. He rules with a steady hand! He is fiercely protective of His children … even the most wayward of them.

He is the Father of Lights.