"John 18:25-40
Burden of failure (18:25-27)
The great apostle Peter is asked, ‘ “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not” ’ (v.25). This is his second denial. Then a third time Peter is challenged and denies knowing Jesus (v.26). At that moment a cock began to crow (v.27) – just as Jesus had predicted.
Peter realised, as most of us do from time to time, that he had failed Jesus. A sense of failure can be a great burden.
This passage is not the end of Peter’s story. After his resurrection, Jesus met with Peter and reinstated him, forgiving him for this failure and commissioning him once more (John 21:15–25).
Lord, thank you that although Peter failed you, you took the burden of his failure, you forgave him, reinstated him and used him as powerfully as anyone in human history.
Burden of injustice (vv. 28-38a)
We see in this passage that one of the many things that Jesus had to bear was a totally unfair trial. When Pilate asked, ‘What charges are you bringing against this man?’ (v.29), they replied, ‘If he were not a criminal … we would not have handed him over to you’ (v.30).
One of the basic principles of most justice systems is that the prosecution must prove the case against the defendant. Jesus’ accusers tried to undermine this by turning one of the basic prejudices that every judicial system needs to overcome – the assumption that because a person is on trial they must be guilty.
Pilate also denied Jesus the right to silence. He said, ‘What is it you have done?’ (v.35c). He tried to get Jesus to condemn himself out of his own mouth. Jesus says that he came into the world ‘to testify to the truth’ (v.37b). Pilate asked, ‘What is truth?’ (v.38a). It is almost as if Pilate seems to be questioning (as our post-modern society does) whether there is such a thing as ‘truth’ (that is, absolute truth).
Thank you, Lord, that you endured an unfair trial – and, far worse, the unfair penalty of crucifixion and death – for us all.
Burden of sin (vv. 38b-40)
Despite this unfair trial, Pilate concludes, ‘I find no basis for a charge against him’ (v.38b). Jesus is completely innocent. Pilate wants to release him. He says, ‘It is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release “the king of the Jews”?’ (v.39).
‘They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion’ (v.40). Jesus, the innocent, is condemned to crucifixion. Barabbas, the sinful, goes free.
The symbolism is clear. On the cross, Jesus the innocent died so that we, the sinful, may go free. He bore the burden of our sin.
‘Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour … our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death’ (Psalm 68:19–20)."
2. It may have been a 14-hour long trip but thank You for Your protection and provision.
3. Thank You for Your traveling mercies and for being able to meet good, old friends I have not seen for 4 years!
