The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) – DATE: FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2024 – TOPIC: MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD
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THE DAILY FOUNTAIN
DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE
CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
DATE: FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2024
(Good Friday)
TOPIC: MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD
READ: JOHN 18: 1-40 (NKJV)
18:1. 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.
18:2. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples.
18:3. Then Judas, having received a detachment [of troops,] and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
18:4. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”
18:5. They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am [He.”] And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them.
18:6. Now when He said to them, “I am [He,”] they drew back and fell to the ground.
18:7. Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
18:8. Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am [He.] Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,”
18:9. that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”
18:10. 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.
18:11. So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”
18:12. Then the detachment [of troops] and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.
18:13. And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year.
18:14. Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
18:15. 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.
18:16. 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.
18:17. 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.”
18:18. 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.
18:19. The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.
18:20. 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.
18:21. “Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”
18:22. And when He had 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?”
18:23. Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”
18:24. Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
18:25. Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also [one] of His disciples, are you?” He denied [it] and said, “I am not!”
18:26. 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?”
18:27. Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.
18:28. Then they 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.
18:29. Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”
18:30. They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.”
18:31. 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,”32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.
33 Then Pilate entered the [h]Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
34 Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”
35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”
36 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.”
37 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.”
38 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.
39 “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?”
40 Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
THE MESSAGE:
Good Friday is here for us to identify with the suffering, crucifixion, pains of the cross, and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus into the hands of his fellow conspirators (the Chief Priest and Pharisees) and they arrested and led Him to face judgment before Pontius Pilate. Jesus enemies brought Him before Pilate accusing Him of rebellion. They claimed that Jesus wanted to overthrow the Roman Empire and establish His own Kingdom. Jesus did not defend Himself nor did He allow His disciples to stop His arrest despite having enough arsenals of disciples that could stop His arrest. He told Pilate that His Kingdom is not of this world and that the authority of His kingship is not derived from a man but is divine.
The main purpose of His coming to the world is to die so that all men will come to the knowledge of the Lord. He was ready to pay the price so that the kingdom would be established in the hearts of men and He was not ready to let anything distract Him from getting this goal realized. The Kingdom of Jesus is that of truth where He reigns over the lives of people and He paid the price to establish this kingdom! What are we pursuing today? Building empires outside Jesus? Political power? The suffering and death of Jesus will be in vain if we neglect the pursuit of the Kingdom of God and follow the multitude to pursue the kingdom of this world. We may have a temporary gain but the loss will be grievous. We must put priority on seeking the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6: 33) today!
PRAYER: Lord! help me to love what You love, hate what You hate, and pursue what is dear to Your heart.
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