APRIL 27 - JESUS BEFORE PILATE
READ John 18
After His arrest, Jesus is taken before Pilate and the religious leaders.
INSIGHT
As the power of the Creator of the universe was veiled in human flesh in Jesus of Nazareth, men came with torches and weapons to subdue Him. He asked, “Whom are you seeking?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” With the force of those words from Jesus, they “drew back, and fell to the ground” (John 18:6). It must have rattled their confidence to have to arrest Jesus. How much greater
significance it lends to Jesus’ words: “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself” (John 10:17-18). For our sakes, Jesus laid down His life that we might take it up. He became what we are so that we might become what He is. Praise and glory to God!
PRAYER
Offer to the Lord your praise for His willingness to lay down His life for you:
Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does wonders.
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
the whole earth is filled with his glory.
Amen and amen. (Psalm 72:18-19).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
No temptation has overtaken me except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that I may be able to bear it (Based on 1 Corinthians 10:13).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
And just as it is appointed for people to die once — and after this, judgment — so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him (Hebrews 9:27-28).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus — the great Shepherd of the sheep — through the blood of the everlasting covenant, equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21).
After His arrest, Jesus is taken before Pilate and the religious leaders.
INSIGHT
As the power of the Creator of the universe was veiled in human flesh in Jesus of Nazareth, men came with torches and weapons to subdue Him. He asked, “Whom are you seeking?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” With the force of those words from Jesus, they “drew back, and fell to the ground” (John 18:6). It must have rattled their confidence to have to arrest Jesus. How much greater
significance it lends to Jesus’ words: “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself” (John 10:17-18). For our sakes, Jesus laid down His life that we might take it up. He became what we are so that we might become what He is. Praise and glory to God!
PRAYER
Offer to the Lord your praise for His willingness to lay down His life for you:
Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does wonders.
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
the whole earth is filled with his glory.
Amen and amen. (Psalm 72:18-19).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
No temptation has overtaken me except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that I may be able to bear it (Based on 1 Corinthians 10:13).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
And just as it is appointed for people to die once — and after this, judgment — so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him (Hebrews 9:27-28).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
- Greater sensitivity to sin
- The ministry of your local church
- Your activities for the day
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus — the great Shepherd of the sheep — through the blood of the everlasting covenant, equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21).
A Dogwood Church Discipleship Ministry Resource. © Walk Thru the Bible 2026.