Peter Barnes: John 18:28-40
(30 June 2019)
SERMON NOTES: VARIOUS FORMS OF SIN (John 18:28-40)
John says nothing about Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas, although he knows of it (see 18:24).
1. Sin distorts our morality.
– 18:28. William Hendriksen sys that they were so busy with the arrest of Jesus that they had not eaten the Passover, but the Passover here may possibly be referring to the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It depends on when the Passover lamb had actually been slain.
– F. F. Bruce thinks the defilement was through yeast, but the Mishnah says: ‘The dwelling-places of gentiles are unclean.’ Or Num.9:7-14?
– Matt.23:23. We can easily become fired up over minor matters and apathetic over major issues.
2. Sin makes us weak and evasive.
– read 18:29-30. The blasphemy charge would have meant little to Pilate. So they adopt the ‘trust me’ approach to negotiations. Pilate is unable to be strong – 18:31a; see Acts 18:12-15; then John 18:38b-39.
3. Sin makes us malicious.
– 18:31; apart from Acts 21:28-29. It is serious, and they take a risk in their next request – 18:39-40. Barabbas was a terrorist – Luke 23:18-19. He was precisely the sort of man that Pilate would not have been keen about releasing. Jesus did not appear to be a political threat – John 6:15; 18:36-37.
4. But God remains sovereign.
– 18:32; John 3:14; 12:32-33. Jesus’ words are treated as Scripture. See also Acts 4:27-28.