Daily Dose of Hope
November 10, 2025
Scripture - John 18:1-18
Prayer: Holy God, We come before you today in humility and awe. You are a good God. You, who put the stars and planets in motion, also created us. You care about the most minute details of our lives. You have numbered the hairs on our head. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for caring so much. Help us be put even a small reflection of your love toward those around us. More of you and less of me, Jesus. Amen.
Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan. We are currently in the book of John, as we walk through the whole of the Gospels and the book of Acts. Today, we start John 18.
We start in the Garden. Unlike Mark's Gospel, Jesus does not plead that the cup be taken from him. Rather, he steps forward and boldly declares that he is Jesus of Nazareth, the one they are looking for. The Garden of Gethsemane is a common place. He is not hiding and he is not apprehensive. He offers himself in place of his disciples who are there with him. He affirms the anti-violent path given to him by God and rebukes Peter when he cuts the high priest's slave's ear off. Jesus will not allow anyone, including Peter, to deprive him of his role in God's victory. Jesus knows he is innocent, he knows this is unjust, but he also knows it is necessary so he will do what must be done, not for his sake but for ours.
I always wonder what Judas is thinking in this moment. Does he have a sense of satisfaction? Or, is there part of him that has regret? Does he see Jesus' innocence and begin to see what he has done? I don't think we will ever know but I can't help but wonder. Judas was a complicated character and if we are honest, we've all been Judas at one time or another. We have all betrayed Jesus.
Speaking of betrayal, we also get to read about Peter's first denial of Jesus to the servant girl in the high priest's courtyard. The first of three, of course. What was going on in Peter's head? We know he had to be scared to death. Was he praying? Had he forgotten everything Jesus taught him? Was he trying to figure out how to just get out of the situation alive? I mean, he was Jesus' very best friend.
More tomorrow.
Blessings,
Pastor Vicki
