Truth, Courage, and Loyalty – a John 18 Story

John 18:1-11

It was a dark night when a group of armed soldiers, led by Judas, entered the Garden of Gethsemane looking for Jesus. As soon as they arrived, Jesus stepped forward and asked them whom they were looking for. They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth," and Jesus replied, "I am he."

As soon as He spoke these words, the soldiers fell to the ground, astonished. Jesus then asked them again whom they were looking for, and they repeated their answer. Jesus said, "If you are looking for me, then let these men go." He was referring to His disciples, who were with Him in the Garden.

Peter, the most impulsive of the disciples, drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Jesus told Peter to put his sword away and healed the servant’s ear. He then turned to the soldiers and said, "Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day teaching."

Jesus was not afraid of the soldiers, but He knew that His time had come. He surrendered Himself to the soldiers and allowed them to take Him away.

John 18:12-14

Jesus was taken to the high priest’s house, where He was questioned by the high priest and the religious leaders. They asked Him about His disciples and His teaching, but Jesus replied, "I have always spoken openly and honestly to everyone. Why are you questioning me? Ask those who heard me. They know what I said."

One of the officers struck Jesus in the face, saying, "Is that the way to answer the high priest?" Jesus replied, "If I said anything wrong, you must prove it. But if I spoke the truth, why did you hit me?"

John 18:15-18, 25-27

Meanwhile, Peter followed Jesus to the high priest’s house, but he stayed outside in the courtyard. One of the high priest’s servants asked him, "Aren’t you one of Jesus’ disciples?" Peter denied it, saying, "No, I am not."

As the night went on, Peter was asked two more times if he was a disciple of Jesus, and both times he denied it. Just as he was denying Jesus for the third time, a rooster crowed.

John 18:28-32

The religious leaders took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor, accusing Him of being a criminal and a threat to the Roman Empire. Pilate asked Jesus if He was the King of the Jews, and Jesus replied, "My Kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not from here."

Pilate found no basis for the charges against Jesus and wanted to release Him, but the religious leaders insisted that He be crucified.

John 18:33-38

Pilate questioned Jesus further, asking Him if He was a king. Jesus replied, "You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

Pilate asked, "What is truth?" and then went out to the crowd and said, "I find no basis for a charge against Him."

John 18:39-40

Pilate offered to release Jesus or a prisoner named Barabbas, who had been arrested for rebellion and murder. The crowd chose to release Barabbas and have Jesus crucified.

Conclusion

The story of John 18 is a powerful example of truth, courage, and loyalty. Jesus, the embodiment of truth, was unafraid to speak the truth to those who questioned Him, even when it meant suffering physical abuse. Peter, though he denied Jesus three times, showed courage in following Jesus to the high priest’s house, while the other disciples fled. And Jesus showed loyalty to His disciples by offering Himself in exchange for their release.

In the end, Pilate asked the question that is still relevant today: "What is truth?" Jesus’ answer was clear: "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." This statement is a challenge to all of us to seek truth and listen to the voice of Jesus, even when it goes against popular opinion.

As we navigate a world that is often filled with confusion and deception, may we be inspired by the example of Jesus and strive to live lives of truth, courage, and loyalty.