READING FOR JANUARY 27, 2026: ISAIAH 16, JOHN 18, PSALM 148:1-6 ISAIAH 16 This chapter can be confusing due to the apparent change of the group being addressed by the prophecy. Hopefully, by following the context of the content, we can sufficiently discern the meaning. The first two verses make the most sense as a command to Moab to send tribute, or tax-like payments, to Jerusalem. This was the prior practice between Moab and Israel, which was stopped when King Ahab of Israel died: “Now Mesha the king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he used to make tribute payments to the king of Israel of a hundred thousand lambs, and the wool of a hundred thousand rams. However, when King Ahab died, the king of Moab broke with the king of Israel” (2 Kings 3:4-5).
Starting with verse 3 the words appear to be directed to Judah, asking for refuge to be provided for those fleeing from Moab. In verse 5, the text affirms that a leader will be established in Jerusalem who loves kindness and judges faithfully in the seat of David. This might be a prophetic reference to Jesus in the same vein as Isaiah 9:7: “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” Starting with verse 16, though, the focus shifts back to the sins of the then-current nation of Moab. Their excessive pride (vs 6) will cause everyone in Moab to wail (vs. 7) and the nation to be trampled by other nations (vs. 8). Amazingly in verse nine it appears God, Himself, will weep for the suffering of Moab, even though it is God, Himself, who has caused this catastrophe to happen (vs. 10-11). In verses 13-14 God states this will all take place within three years. This is quick but would still give them time to repent should they take this message to heart—as did the Ninevites.
Note the cautionary word here about Moab having excess pride. Might this ever be a problem in America? Does our country approach the world in humility and goodwill, or does it do so from a position of “arrogance, pride, and fury” (vs 6)? This writer is concerned.
JOHN 18 If you have a red-letter Bible in which the words of Jesus appear in red, you will notice that the previous four chapters are almost entirely red. John records Jesus’ teaching his disciples and praying to his Fathers. Chapter 18 returns us to the narrative of the story. There are four scenes in this chapter.
In the Garden: In the midst of the confusion of darkness and “torches, lanterns and weapons,” Jesus appears to be the only one who is in perfect peace. There are at least two reasons for this. First, the chapter begins with this sentence, “When he had finished praying…” The real struggle for Jesus over. Although he would soon be bound, and beaten, he had finished praying. In his prayers, he had made the decision to drink the cup the Father was giving him. He says in the garden, “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (v11) The second reason for his peace is stated in verse 4, “Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him…” No one else in the garden knew what would happen. Judas isn’t sure how Jesus will respond to his betrayal. (Matthew says he called Judas “friend” even with the kiss of betrayal.) Those sent to arrest Jesus had no assurance they would arrest the right man for they didn’t even know what he looked like. (Jesus identifies himself and
READING FOR JANUARY 27, 2026 CONTINUED: JOHN 18, PSALM 148:1-6 willingly surrenders to them.) Peter hopes to keep Jesus from being arrested and lashes out with a sword. (Jesus tells him to put it away.) Malchus loses an ear. (All the gospel writers mention this, but only Luke tells us that Jesus immediately touched his ear and healed him.)
Before the High Priest: This is actually two scenes. Jesus is first taken to Annas, who is the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest and then he is taken to Caiaphas. The result of these meetings had been settled in another meeting weeks earlier just after Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead:
"What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish." He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. So, from that day on they plotted to take his life.” John 11:47-53
This was their chance, and they were going to make the most of it. They would see Jesus dead!
In the Courtyard: Here Peter denies knowing Jesus on three separate occasions. We will discover in chapter 21 that Jesus does not hold this against Peter and welcomes him with open arms.
Before Pilate: Unlike the high priest, who seemed to know that Jesus really was sent from God, Pilate was ignorant of Jesus and his claims. But after questioning Jesus, Pilate did not want to condemn him, for he could see that Jesus was innocent. Pilate tried to set Jesus free. (19:12) He tried to convince the crowd to ask for Jesus’ release, but the crowd, stirred by the religious leaders asked for another prisoner named Barabbas. (It is worth noting that the name Barabbas literally means the Son of the Father.)
The chapter ends with Jesus facing crucifixion. But he is still at peace, for he had finished praying. He knew who he was and where he had come from and where he was going. And he knew that no one was taking his life from him, but that he was willingly laying it down in love.
PSALM 148:1-6 The first verses of this chapter list those entities above us who are directed to praise the Lord. Some groups we can easily imagine having this capacity, such as angels and other spirit beings. Some are inanimate, such as the sun, moon, and stars. We usually interpret such statements as poetic metaphors, that the splendor of their existence brings God praise. Yet, all these entities alike exist because God “commanded and they were created.” All alike continue because God “established them forever and ever.” Let’s not totally foreclose on the idea that, at least in God’s fully realized Kingdom, somehow all alike could also praise the Lord. Remember Jesus: “I tell you, if these [disciples] stop speaking, the stones will cry out!” (Luke 19:40).
