Pointing People to Jesus

Monday, July 6th, 2026

4:31 am

Good morning! Today I am in John 18:12-24. The soldiers tied Jesus up and took Him to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest at that time. Caiaphas was the one that said it was better for one man to die for the people. Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. The other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, so he was able to go into the high priest's courtyard. The disciple that went in, talked to the woman and the gate, and got Peter inside. But the woman asked Peter, "You're not one of that man's disciples, are you?" Peter told her no, he was not. It was cold outside at this time, and some of the household servants and guards had made a fire to warm themselves. And Peter joined them. Inside, Annas questioned Jesus, asking Him about His followers and what He had been teaching them. Jesus told him, "Everyone knows what I teach because I have been preaching regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, and have not spoken in secret." Then He asked Annas why he was asking Him when he could be asking people that heard Him? One of the Temple guards, that heard this, slapped Jesus across the face and said, "Is that any way to speak to the high priest?" Jesus replied, "If I said something wrong, you must prove it, but if I am speaking the truth, why are you hitting me? Annas bound Jesus and sent Him to Caiaphas.

Annas was trying to find something to charge Jesus for, but Jesus was speaking the truth. They all knew what Jesus had taught about in the Temple, but they wanted Him to say something wrong. But they could not trap Jesus with His Words, because He spoke the truth, they just didn't want to hear it. Annas and Caiaphas were more worried about their political standing, then about pointing the people to Jesus, their Messiah. Annas and Caiaphas, who were the high priests, should have known that they were dealing with the Messiah, because they had spent their lives studying the Scriptures, but that did not matter to them any more. They wanted to do away with Jesus, who was a threat to their ministry and everything they did.

We must not care more about this life than pointing people to Jesus. This world means nothing and is nothing without Jesus. We must make sure we are grounded in God's Word so when we face persecution or trials, we can turn to the one who has all the answers, and like Jesus, speak the truth without fear. God's Word gives us strength and encouragement to stand up for Him. Seek Him for the strength you need to face any trial. He will help you and He will also give you the right words at the right time to help point other people to Him.