Today I read John 18, where Jesus was betrayed by Judas, arrested by the Jews, and taken to Pilate to be judged by the Romans. Today I considered how people in history have handed their people over to others to be judged and oppressed.
Jesus’ Arrest
Jesus was arrested by his own people who asked others to judge Jesus (John 18:1-40). Jesus and his disciples went across the Cedron brook to a garden. When Judas came with armed officers, chief priests and Pharisees looking for Jesus, Jesus said he was Jesus. Simon cut Malchus’ ear and Jesus told him not to fight because God gave Jesus this task. The armed men took Jesus to Caiaphas’ father-in-law Annas, where they questioned Jesus and an officer hit him. Annas sent Jesus to the high priest Caiaphas. Peter was following Jesus during this time and others asked if he was Jesus’ disciple 3 different times. Peter denied Jesus 3 times and then the cock crowed. Jesus was led to the hall of judgment and handed over to Pilate, the Romans. The Jews said they could not put Jesus to death. Pilate brought him in and asked Jesus questions but found no fault in Jesus. Pilate asked about letting a prisoner go because of Passover. The people chose to let the robber Barabbas go instead of Jesus.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
What happened to Jesus continues to happen in history. People from one country will take their own people and hand them over to people from another country to be put in prison, judged, enslaved, etc. This is not a good thing. This was an example of Jesus fulfilling his commission but the Pharisees missing the Messiah. This is condemning those that should not be condemned in this way.
What do you think God wants us to do when people hand their people over to other countries for judgement?