The Gospel of John–John 18:19-40

The High Priest Questions Jesus; Peter Denies Jesus Again;

Jesus Before Pilate; My Kingdom is not of this World

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.           Two of the passages, the first and the third, speak of Peter. Though boasting that he would never deny knowning Jesus, he nevertheless does so three times. Despite Peter’s status in the early years of the church, the Gospel writers include these, and we are so glad they did or else we would be so very depressed and discouraged since we too betray Jesus though we do not want to.

2.           First Annas, the former high priest, questions Jesus about His followers and teaching. Jesus replies that He has spoken openly in synagogues and in the Temple, so there are no secrets.

3.           Jesus’ statements were considered disrespectful and an officer hit Jesus with his hand. Meanwhile, out in the courtyard of the high priest’s residence, Peter is yet warming himself.

4.           Two people around the fire ask Peter if he was not one of Jesus’ disciples, and both times Peter denies it, making in now three denials. At once a cock crowed. Was this an actual animal or the town crier calling out the final quarter of the night?

5.           Jesus is now brought by the Jewish leaders before the Roman governor Pilate, but do not enter his headquarters (likely in the Fortress Antonio) in order to avoid become unclean. Pilate had travelled from Caesarea for the Passover. He had been appointed by Emperor Tiberius in 26 CE and was dismissed from office in 36 CE, due to pressure from the Judean authorities.

6.           Pilate is reluctant to have Jesus under his jurisdiction but the Jewish leaders press him to so act.

7.           Pilate asks Jesus if He is “King of the Jews,” which is  probably the charge, and a political one, brought by the Jewish leaders. Jesus’ reply has echoed down through history: “My kingdom is not of this world” and that everyone who is of the truth listens to His voice. Pilate’s famous reply is: “What is truth?”

The Resurrection

John 20:1-10

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         The first day of the week, Sunday, unlike the Western version of designations, Mary Magdalene of dubious reputation, made a visit to the tomb where Jesus’ body had been laid.

2.         The tomb itself, belonging to a member of the Council of Israel, Joseph of Arimathea, had been secured by having a large stone plastered in place. But Mary finds that the stone had been taken away.

3.         Mary, thinking there had been a grave robbery, runs to find Peter and the unnamed disciple, and tells them Jesus’ body is missing and nowhere to be found.

4.         So Peter and the un-named disciple rush out to see for themselves. Peter is no match for the speed of the other disciple and arrives at the tomb first.

5.         This disciple looking in saw the linen burial garments lying there. He does not got in himself.

6.         Peter, on arrival goes into the tomb and he also saw the garments lying there, and he also saw the face cloth folded up in a place separate from the other grave clothes.

7.         Then the other disciple enters the tomb, sees that Jesus is not there and “believes.”

8.         For unknown reasons, “they” and likely referring to the whole of the Eleven, had not yet understood that Jesus “must rise from the dead.”

9.         Then, the “disciples” and here John the Apostle, the author, states, “then the disciples went back to their homes.” 10.       The story continues with Mary weeping outside the tomb.

A better life? 

I must bring up the question as to whether those who transition live a better life after the hormones and surgery? Now that their sexual apparatus matches how they feel about themselves, are these people now happy and well adjusted? What I have found after more research is that such is not the case. In fact, in many instances, life becomes more difficult. 

And one more thing–I have discovered that those who seek to transition receive much attention, encouragement, and support. Recently I read the account of a fifth grader saying to a teacher that he thought he ought to be a girl. That started a process, one that the boy’s parents were not permitted to be involved in, and at that young age, this person was rushed to judgment. Yes, there was a required counseling process, but how unbiased would that likely have been? It is almost forbidden, even for parents, to attempt to help a person with gender dysphoria to work through issues.

The Gospel of John

John 18:1–18

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus,

Jesus Before the High Priest &

Peter Denies Jesus

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         After the conversations Jesus has with the disciples (chapters 14, 15, and 16) followed by Jesus’ prayer (chapter 17), they had to have left Jerusalem, crossed the “torrent” of the Kidron, on their way to the Mt. of Olives and a “garden” likely owned by a friend of Jesus, a place where they routinely visited and perhaps camped out.

2.         Judas, knowing where Jesus and the others were headed intercepted them all with a rather large band of armed men. Jesus quickly identified Himself.

3.         Of great unexplained interest, the band of soldiers “drew back and fell to the ground” when Jesus spoke. Jesus then requested His disciples be released.

4.         Peter, drew a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. (Only Luke, 22:51, tells us Jesus healed the man.)

5.         Jesus knows what will follow, the trials, and does not want any further disruptions.

6.         First the armed band take Jesus to Annas, the father-in-law of the current high priest, Caiaphas, likely since Annas had been high priest, from 7 to 14 CE and was much respected by the Jews.

7.         It was Caiaphas who earlier, and unwittingly, stated that it was better for one man to die than the whole nation. (John 11:45–53)

8.         Peter, with another disciple, and most probably John, followed the soldiers. This unnamed disciple was known by the high priest and is allowed into the court yard of Annas, who then succeeded in getting Peter inside also.

9.         The servant girl who had been watching the front gate and had admitted John, thought she recognized Peter as a disciple of Jesus. Peter responded, “I am not.” Thus fulfilled what Jesus said in Luke 22:31–34. 10.       Peter remained in the court yard and warmed himself at a fire along with other servants and even some of the arresting band.

(Here is an excerpt from my book, The Third Sex? Revisited: Homosexual and Transgender Issues from a Biblical Perspective)

Born Homosexual or Not?

The question I asked in The Third Sex? forty-four years ago was whether homosexuals were born that way or not. Most, but not all, homosexuals want to believe they were.¹ Despite the fact that each person I interviewed for the books published on homosexuality said they were born gay, and a number said they had never had a heterosexual thought, on examination of the conversations from which the interviews were drawn, it appeared to me that each person had merely adopted the prem­ise they were born gay. There was no hard science behind their gay identities. I came to the conclusion that being born gay was little more than a cultural myth in the homosexual communi­ty. “I was born gay, so homosexuality is natural for me” was an identity marker that went with the territory.

Born gay? How could that happen? Did the natural selection mechanism run amok? Or, what purpose or advantage was oper­ative in the evolutionary/biological process, if homosexuality is

normal? It is plain that the body parts weren’t naturally designed to fit as they are with heterosexuals. The homosexual act among human beings goes against what is natural, because sex is not for pleasure alone; the sexual uniting of a man and a woman was designed to perpetuate the species.

1 Some gays grew up fearful of, hateful of, neglected by, rejected by, or molested by a parent of the opposite sex. Some encountered other scenarios, whereby sex with a member of the opposite sex was impossible but the call of the hormones was present, nevertheless. Others learned to get their sex where they could get it and found, for any number of reasons, that it was easier and quicker to find a homosexual partner than a heterosexual partner. The point is that not all homosexuals will claim they were born that way. Some even will engage in homosexuality because it seems sexier or more exciting than the normal version.

The Gospel of John

John 17

The High Priestly Prayer

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         This prayer of Jesus concluded His final words to the Eleven, and perhaps at the Garden.

2.         We can imagine Jesus lifting His eyes heavenward, arms raised, the common form of prayer among the Jews, and speaking so all could hear.

3.         Jesus appears to be repeating certain phrases and concepts making it easier for His hearers to retain the message.

4.         In the first part, verses 1 to 5, Jesus emphasizes the nature of eternal life. To know the Father is to have eternal life, since this knowing depends on the inner working of the Holy Spirit. Glory, referring to being in the presence of God or in fellowship with God, is key throughout the prayer.

5.         Verses 6 to 19 have a number of key elements, and one is that the Father has given Jesus’ followers to Him, and here we see the emphasis on God’s choosing or election. 

6.         Jesus is speaking as though all His work has been accomplished already, though it is still in front of Him, it will be done.

7.         Another emphasis here is that the Father keeps us from the “evil one” and indeed the follower of Jesus is “sanctified” meaning set aside or apart, and this through the Spirit.

8.         In the last segment, verses 20 to 26, Jesus speaks of those who will believe in Him through their “word.” This word is, in the Greek, Logos and is the core theme of the entire Gospel. (see John 1:1)

9.         The “oneness” of the Triune God and the oneness of the believer with the Father and the Son is emphasized. And there is so much more.

The Gospel of John

John 16:25–33

I Have Overcome the World

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Commentators point out that to some degree Jesus is re-stating Himself in this passage. And well He should as we have a tendency to forget even key messages.

2.         Jesus’ time with His disciples is down to a few hours or less. He is emphasizing things that He wants the eleven to hold on to.

3.         He even states that He had been using “figures of speech,” which have not been clear to them. This  will now change.

4.         Verses 26 and 27 are confusing to us, we will have to admit, and even the best over the centuries have confessed as much. He seems to say that His followers will pray, make requests based on all that Jesus is and has accomplished, but He Himself will not stand between the Father and His disciples. And the reason is that the Father Himself loves His followers.

5.         Now, in verse 28, Jesus simply and clearly states that He is leaving the world and going to the Father.

6.         The disciples vigorously say they understand His plain speech, whereas before they did not.

7.         Then verse 30 is the disciples’ statement of faith.

8.         Jesus’ response, “Do you now believe?” is even yet more mysterious. Is this a rebuke, as some say, or is it an acceptance of truth from His followers, as others say?

9.         Now Jesus says something that His hearers would surely doubt. They would be scattered. We see as much in Luke 24:50-51. Indeed events are about to occur that would send them home and hiding.

10.       Nevertheless the Father does not abandon Him.

11.       Jesus now comforts His disciples, after what may have been a mild rebuke, and lets them know they have peace that grows out their relationship with Him. Indeed, in the world, they will have much trouble, but He has overcome the world.

Prelude to Transgender Issues

First, the reader should know something of who I am, and second, why I am presenting this “Transgender Issues” section within The Third Sex? Revisited. 

I am an Evangelical Christian and longtime pastor of a small Baptist church in Mill Valley, California. Theologically I could be described as Reformed, meaning I hold to the doctrines of grace or election. I am Trinitarian and believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. 

It is necessary at this point in history to be careful with the designation evangelical. A biblically oriented evangelical is someone who promotes the message of Jesus Christ. The word evangelical means good message or news. “Gospel” is an old English word that means good news. What I mean is that evangelical does not have to be politicized. I am conservative in my outlook, but neither I nor the church I pastor take a stance for one political party or another. People at Miller Avenue do not know how I vote, and no party or candidate is endorsed. Jesus is our Leader and Lord, no one else. 

My calling as a Christian is to present the person and work of Jesus Christ. By “person” I mean, who Jesus is, that He is God become flesh, the Word become flesh, and is the Messiah spoken of in the Hebrew Bible. By “work” I mean His sacrifice for sin on the cross, His resurrection from the dead, His ascent into heaven where He is “seated” at the right hand of the Father, and that He will return for His Chosen People at some point in the future. 108 

This is much of who I am. Additionally, I am called, like all Christians are called, to bear witness to the saving work of Jesus Christ to all people. My sense of it is that those within the LGBTQ+ spectrum are wary of people like me, since we usually are not pro-gay. I want to be clear: I consider homosexual behavior to be sinful. Let me also tell you that I, too, am a sinner, a bigger one than you might imagine, especially when I contemplate the utter holiness of God. 

More Important than Sexual Identity 

There is something far more important than our sexuality and personal identity, important as these are. As a messenger of the love and grace of Jesus, I have spent a fair amount of time and effort examining the issues I raise in this book and in its predecessors. However, as I try to come to an understanding of homosexuality and transgenderism in particular, I am struck by what is commonly known as narcissism. Narcissism is usually seen as a sign of mental imbalance, but it also points to the condition of sin gripping closely, and I see this danger present in much of the LGBTQ+ community. The search for peace and contentment is not to be found in fulfilling our hormonal urges or being who we think we are supposed to be, and the attempts to control how others see us and refer to us in speech and actions mask what is actually self-contempt. This extreme self-focus is like a poison to the system, killing any joy or peace that might have existed there. 

I am reaching out to those who are struggling to find peace with God, however clumsy my effort might appear.

The Gospel of John

John 16:16-24

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Jesus has only a few more hours to be with the Eleven disciples before He is arrested by a Roman guard in the garden.

2.         He states that a “little while” they will not see Him, and then for a “little while” they will see Him. The phrase in quotation marks is a biblical literary device often meaning “our experience on the planet, the tragic nature of our living.” Here Jesus is referring to His crucifixion and resurrection.

3.         The Eleven wondered among themselves as to the meaning of Jesus’ words. He observed this and asked, “Is this what you are asking yourselves” thus opening up an opportunity for explanation.

4.         Right off He speaks of the grieving they are about to go through. Yes, they will “lament” but the world, that element opposed to the things of God, will rejoice. He reiterates that they will be sorrowful, but their sorrow will turn into joy.

5.         Yes, sorrow at the arrest, the beatings, the rigged court, which all leads to a horrible, degrading, death on a cross.

6.         Jesus likens what is coming upon Him to a woman giving birth, the pain she will experience, but once the child is born, there is rejoicing.

7.         Yet again, Jesus acknowledges their coming sorrow. But they will see Him again, the resurrection, or maybe beyond that, they will see Him at His coming for them or upon their own death.

8.         The result is joy, which cannot be taken away no matter what. This mysterious joy, the highest of all human blessing, is a gift of grace and quite beyond any worldly experience.

9.         Then Jesus tells His disciples, those Eleven there and to all His followers, that they will not ask anything of Him, but will ask the Father, in Jesus’ name, that is, because of the cleansing from sin He brings and our relationship with Him, and He, the Father, will then give. He urges us to ask, and then receive, that our joy would be full. Here again, another incredible mystery & miracle.

 Katie and I have published our new book, The Third Sex? Revisited: Homosexual and Transgender Issues From a Biblical Perspective. Now inviting comments about transgendering. We are on course to publish a second volume with a focus on this complex and confusing topic.

We came to this after last week’s time in Nashville for the National Religious Broadcasters convention. We were stunned at the attention our book received, and most of it regarding transgender concerns. We are inviting people who have something to say on this issue, from whatever point of view, to send this to us, 1000 words or less, with no name, city, or state mentioned. If we publish your piece in the new volume, we will send you a release form to sign and get back to us.

Our primary concern is to reach out to those going through such a process and their family and friends. It is far from a simple solution to try to be at peace with one’s gender identity. We come at this from a Christian and Biblical perspective, which is grounded in grace and agape love. You may well say we are “Welcoming and not confirming” since to confirm is to promote.

Our email is: kentphilpott@comcast.net.

Kent and Katie