June 19

Read John 19

 ^13-14When Pilate heard those words, he led Jesus outside. He sat down at the judgment seat in the area designated Stone Court (in Hebrew, Gabbatha). It was the preparation day for Passover. The hour was noon. Pilate said to the Jews, "Here is your king."

 ¹⁵They shouted back, "Kill him! Kill him! Crucify him!"

   Pilate said, "I am to crucify your king?"

   The high priests answered, "We have no king except Caesar."

 ^16-19Pilate caved in to their demand. He turned him over to be crucified. (The Message)

Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:

• What do you think made Pilate do what the crowd wanted rather than what he thought was right?
• What do you think the high priests were really saying when they told Pilot, "We have no king except Caesar?"
• Is there a role for the "Caesars" of the world in our following of Jesus?
• How would your life be different if you were to day, "I have no king except Jesus?"

June 12

Read John 18

 ³⁶"My kingdom," said Jesus, "doesn't consist of what you see around you. If it did, my followers would fight so that I wouldn't be handed over to the Jews. But I'm not that kind of king, not the world's kind of king."

 ³⁷Then Pilate said, "So, are you a king or not?"

   Jesus answered, "You tell me. Because I am King, I was born and entered the world so that I could witness to the truth. Everyone who cares for truth, who has any feeling for the truth, recognizes my voice."

 ^38-39Pilate said, "What is truth?" (The Message)

Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:

• What do you think Pilate was thinking when Jesus was brought before him?
• Do you think that Pilate really wanted to hear Jesus answer?
• What does truth mean to you?
• Is truth a set of facts or a way of life for you?

June 5

Read John 18

²⁶One of the Chief Priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, "Didn't I see you in the garden with him?"

 ²⁷Again, Peter denied it. Just then a rooster crowed. (The Message)

Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:

• What do you think Peter was thinking when we was recognized?
• Why do think Peter lied about being with Jesus?
• Do you think Peter was a "good man" when he was in this position?
• Have you ever been in a position like Peter? How did you feel?