Because of our purpose in 20:31, John produces evidence to substantiate that Jesus IS the Christ. All the shame and the scorn aimed at Him confirmed, rather than disproved, Jesus & His mission – “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (1:29).
First came the betrayal & arrest. Judas leads a large group of soldiers (probably 500+) and religious leaders to arrest Jesus. This group was ready for problems with Jesus & His followers. But Jesus made it clear (when Peter cut off the the dude’s ear) that he wanted no problems when he told Peter “Put your sword away!” And frankly, I think Peter was going for the head and the dude ducked! Peter was not a surgeon!
Next to having a friend turn on you is having another friend abandon & deny you – and multiple times. It’s not as if Jesus was not feeling lonely enough going thru this trial stuff, then to have His closest buddy deny knowing Him – ouch! “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” They asked Peter. He denied it, saying, “I am not.” It also must have devastated Peter to hear that cock crow and realize what he had just done!
Amidst all of this Jesus is being put on trial. Over & over again they find no fault in Him (duh). He finally gets to Pilate and at one point Jesus tells him, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” Then Pilate asks a question that ALL PEOPLE must answer: “What is Truth?” (John 14:6!)
SO WHAT?!
*Ever been betrayed by a friend? Then you know the hurt. Ever been the betrayer? Trust is broken, pain is inflicted and major relational damage is caused. Sometimes, in the case of Judas, the damage is eternal. I pray if you know of anyone you’ve done this to that TODAY you would go make it right – as best as you can.
*Don’t give up on friends when they hurt you. What if Jesus had given up on Peter? A big chunk of our new testament would be missing! Peter became one of the biggest leaders in the early church for Jesus!
*How do you determine truth? Believing in something doesn’t make it true – you can believe gravity doesn’t exist, but dive off the roof of your home and you’ll find out pretty quick that it does! Then what makes things true? Truth! And you have to discover it if you want eternal life! Lord, make us truth seekers!
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