But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through His name.

John 20:31

Have you ever wondered what the truth is in a given situation? If you truly seek the truth, then go to the source.

O Come, Let Us ADORE Him

As you read today’s chapter, use the ADORE Bible study method to answer the following questions. I will give you my answers below, but know that there is no right or wrong answer to any of these questions. Read for what God has to say to you.

A — Application — Are there any principles to apply or promises to claim?

D — Dependence — Are there any steps of faith I should take today?

O — Obedience — Are there any commands to obey or sins to forsake?

R — Relationship — What is God revealing to me about Himself?

E — Example — Are there any examples to follow or warnings to heed?

God’s Words to Me in John 18

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the brook Cedron, where there was a garden, into which He entered, and His disciples. 2 And Judas also, who betrayed Him, knew the place: for Jesus often met there with His disciples. 3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth, and said unto them, “Whom seek you?” 

5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 

Jesus said unto them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who betrayed Him, stood with them. 6 As soon then as He had said unto them, “I am He,” they went backward, and fell to the ground. 7 Then asked He them again, “Whom seek you?” 

And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 

8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He: if therefore you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which He spoke, “Of them which you gave Me have I lost none.” 

10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, “Put up your sword into the sheath: the cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?” 

12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound Him, 13 and led Him away to Annas first; for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was the high priest that same year. 14 Now Caiaphas was he, who gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. 

15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the court of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then went out that other disciple, who was known unto the high priest, and spoke to her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. 17 Then said the girl that kept the door unto Peter, “Are not you also one of this Man’s disciples?” 

He said, “I am not.” 

18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. 19 The high priest then asked Jesus of His disciples and of His doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world; I always taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, where the Jews always met; and in secret have I said nothing. 21 Why do you ask Me? Ask them who heard Me what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.” 

22 And when He had thus spoken, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do you answer the high priest so?” 

23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why strike Me?” 

24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. 25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, “Are not you also one of His disciples?” 

He denied it, and said, “I am not.” 

26 One of the servants of the high priest, being the kinsman of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did not I see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crowed. 

28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the Passover. 29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” 

30 They answered and said unto him, “If He were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered Him up unto you.” 

31 Then said Pilate unto them, “Take Him, and judge Him according to your law.” 

The Jews therefore said unto him, “It is not lawful for us to put any man to death,” 32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which He spoke, signifying what death He should die. 

33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 

34 Jesus answered him, “Do you say this thing of yourself, or did others tell it to you of Me?” 

35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You unto me. What have You done?” 

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from here.” 

37 Pilate therefore said unto Him, “Are You a king then?” 

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth hears My voice.” 

38 Pilate said unto Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and said unto them, “I find in Him no fault at all. 39 But you have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the Passover: will you therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?” 

40 Then cried they all again, saying, “Not this man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber.

My Words to God

If you were going to talk to God about what you learned in this chapter, what would you say? Write your response in a notebook or journal in the form of a prayer.

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What God taught me

Note: As I read and study the chapter, I do not take these questions in order, but fill in my answers as the Lord shows me what He wants me to see.

A — Application — Are there any principles to apply or promises to claim?

• The entire chapter. Every time you start to think that you are being mistreated, read this chapter and the next, and remember what Jesus endured for you.

D — Dependence — Are there any steps of faith I should take today?

• Verse 15. Follow Jesus anywhere, even when into persecution. You’re safer there than you are a thousand miles away from trouble, but without Him.

O — Obedience — Are there any commands to obey or sins to forsake?

• Verses 17, 25, 27. Stop denying Jesus. Whenever I behave or talk in a way that does not bring Him glory, I am denying His power in my life.

R — Relationship — What is God revealing to me about Himself?

• Verses 5-6. If the very voice of Jesus could make the men all fall to the ground, then I know they could not have arrested and crucified Him unless He wanted it that way. He truly is in control of everything. And He has a plan and a purpose for everything.

E — Example — Are there any examples to follow or warnings to heed?

• Verse 38. Pilate asked, “What is truth?” This should be my question as well. Pilate asked this question of Jesus, and he was not wrong to do so. God’s Word is truth (Jn. 17:17), and Jesus is the Word (Jn. 1:1). If I would know the truth, I must know Him.

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This week’s memory verse

Pilate therefore said unto Him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said unto Him, “What is truth?”

John 18:37-38a

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Photo taken at Princess Beach in Destin, Florida, 2019