Hello, this is Father Paul, and I'm glad we're
taking this journey together to read the Bible
in a year. Today's reading is from the Gospel
of John, Chapter 18. When Jesus had spoken these
words, he went out with his disciples over the
brook Kidron, where there was a garden which
he and his disciples entered. And Judas, who
betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus
often met there with his disciples. Then Judas,
having received a detachment of troops and officers
from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there
with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus therefore,
knowing all things that would come upon him,
went forward and said to them, Whom are you seeking?
They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said
to them, I am he. And Judas, who betrayed him,
also stood with them. Now when he said to them,
I am he, they drew back and fell to the ground.
Then he asked them again, Whom are you seeking?
And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered,
I have told you that I am he. Therefore, if you
seek me, let these go their way, that the saying
might be fulfilled which he spoke, Of those whom
you gave me, I have lost none. 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. So Jesus said to Peter, Put
your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink
the cup which my father has given me? Then the
detachment of troops and the captain and officers
of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. And
they led him away to Annas first, for he was
the father -in -law of Caiaphas, who was high
priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who advised
the Jews that it was expedient that one man should
die for the people. And Simon Peter followed
Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that
disciple was known to the high priest, and went
with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest.
But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the
other disciple, who was known to the high priest,
went out and spoke to her who kept the door and
brought Peter in. Then the servant girl who kept
the door said to Peter, You are not also one
of this man's disciples, are you? He said, I
am not. Now the servants and officers who had
made a fire of coals stood there, for it was
cold, and they warmed themselves, and Peter stood
with them and warmed himself. The high priest
then asked Jesus about his disciples and his
doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spoke openly
to the world. I always taught in synagogues and
in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and
in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask
me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to
them. Indeed, they know what I said. And when
he said these things, one of the officers who
stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand,
saying, Do you answer the high priest like that?
Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear
witness of the evil. But if well, why do you
strike me? Then Anas sent him bound to Caiaphas
the high priest. Now Simon Peter stood and warned
himself. Therefore they said to him, You are
not also one of his disciples, are you? He denied
it and said, I am not. One of the servants of
the high priest, a relative of him whose ear
Peter cut off, said, Did I not see you in the
garden with him? Peter then denied again, and
immediately a rooster crowed. Then he led Jesus
from Caiaphas to the praetorium, and it was early
morning. But they themselves did not go into
the praetorium, lest they should be defiled,
but that they might eat the Passover. Pilate
then went out to them and said, What accusation
do you bring against this man? They answered
and said to him, If he were not an evildoer,
we would not have delivered him up to you. Then
Pilate said to them, You take him and judge him
according to your law. Therefore the Jews said
to him, It is not lawful for us to put anyone
to death, that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled
which he spoke, signifying by what death he would
die. Then Pilate entered the praetorium again,
called Jesus and said to him, Are you the king
of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Are you speaking
for yourself about this or did others tell you
this concerning me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew?
Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered
you to me. What have you done? Jesus answered,
My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom
were of this world, my servants would fight so
that I should not be delivered to the Jews. But
now my kingdom is not from here. Pilate therefore
said to him, Are you a king then? Jesus answered,
You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause
I was born, and for this cause I have come into
the world, that I should bear witness to the
truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my
voice. Pilate said to him, What is truth? And
when he had said this, he went out again to the
Jews and said to them, I find no fault in him
at all. But you have a custom that I should release
someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore
want me to release to you the king of the Jews?
Then they all cried again, saying, Not this man,
but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. I hope
you enjoyed today's reading as much as I did
and I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow
to continue on our journey. God bless you and
have a great day.