Day 1

Scripture to Read: John 18:28–32

Jesus’ mock trial had begun, and after being questioned by Annas, Jesus was then led to Caiaphas. God did not have the Apostle John record Jesus’ time before Caiaphas, but for reference, it is recorded in Matthew 26:57–68 and Luke 22:66–71. God tells us why the religious leaders were putting on this mock trial in Matthew 26:59, Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day wanted Him dead. Then, we read in Luke 22:67–71, “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe; 68 and if I ask a question, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 And they all said, “Are You the Son of God, then?” And He said to them, “Yes, I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.” The religious leaders heard the truth from Jesus, but they called His truth blasphemy, and blasphemy was worthy of death. So, the religious leaders brought Jesus before Pilate because they wanted Him crucified, and Jews could not crucify anyone (John 18:31–32); only the Roman Empire had the authority to crucify. Our Lord knew He’d be crucified because it was the only way the full price of our sins could be paid for.

Challenge & Application

• When you consider what our Lord went through to pay the price for our sins, how does this affect your daily walk with Him? • How has this reminder today challenged you to live wholeheartedly for our Lord?

Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!

Devotionals from this week

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Day 1

Jesus’ mock trial had begun, and after being questioned by Annas, Jesus was then led to Caiaphas. God did not have the Apostle John record Jesus’ time before Caiaphas, but for reference, it is recorded in Matthew 26:57–68 and Luke 22:66–71. God tells us why the religious leaders were putting on this mock trial in Matthew 26:59, Now the chief ...

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Day 2

The mock trial of Jesus continued as Pilate questioned Him. Pilate needed to know if Jesus was a threat to Rome, so, we read his questions and Jesus’ answers in John 18:33–36. Jesus told Pilate that His kingdom was not of this world, for if it had been, Jesus’ servants (His holy angels) would have fought on His behalf, and He would not have b...

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Day 3

After Pilate said to Jesus, “What is truth,” he returned to the Jews and told them that he found nothing in Jesus that was worthy of sentencing Him to death, but Pilate was not interested in a riot taking place and he wanted to appease the crowd. So, we read in John 18:39–40, But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passov...

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Day 4

Pilate knew he was handing an innocent Man over to the angry crowd. God had Matthew record this in Matthew 27:24–25, When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” 25 And all t...

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Day 5

After Jesus was scourged, the Roman soldiers continued to ridicule our Lord. We read in John 19:2–3, And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; 3 and they began to come up to Him and say, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and to give Him slaps in the face. What our Lord went through from ...

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Day 6

The Jews had said to Pilate (in John 19:7) “We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God.” Then, we read in John 18:8, Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. Pilate’s heart was penetrated deeply, and he feared even more what he was letting happen to Jesus. So, Pi...

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Day 7

Pilate did not want to send Jesus to His death on the cross, for we read in John 19:12, As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar.” But we also see that the religious leaders were not b...

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