Last time we saw Jesus was
questioned before Pilate and sentenced to death on the cross. In this lesson we will learn about His death.
John 19:17-27 – Jesus Crucified
Jesus had to carry His own cross. The soldiers lead Him to the place of the Skull (Golgotha). That’s where they crucified Him along with two criminals. Pilate had a sign prepared and fastened to the cross reading, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” – John 19:19. Pilate wrote this to mock the Jews, but the Jews didn’t like what Pilate had written. Pilate meant it as sarcasm; God meant it to be truth. Jesus really was the promised King of the Jews.
This painful reality of Jesus’ suffering reveals the seriousness of humanity’s sin. Sin separates us from God so God acted out of love and made it possible to remove that separation by making Jesus to be sin although He had never sinned. 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us God received Christ’ death as payment for our sin and gives us credit for Christ’s righteousness in return.
The soldiers crucified Jesus and cast lots for His clothing. This was another prophecy fulfilled. “They divided my garments among them; and cast lots for my clothing.” – Psalm 22:18. His public stripping means Jesus was no longer anything at all, He was simply an outcast, despised by all. He stood naked, exposed, and ashamed adding to His humiliation and suffering (Genesis 3:7; Isaiah 53:2-3; 64:6; and 2 Corinthians 8:9).
Colossians 2:13-15 tell us just what Jesus accomplish for us when Jesus died on the cross. We were dead in our sin. Then God made us alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins by nailing them to the cross. “He disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross”.
Jesus’ mother was there at the foot of the cross along with His sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Jesus saw His mother there and told John to take care of her, which he did. By his Jesus obeyed Exodus 20:12. He was thoughtful and honored His mother.
Jesus was the fulfillment of all Old Testament sacrifices. He was “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” – John 1:29. What a Savior! He loved us so much that He suffered and died for us while we were still sinners. Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 4:16. Neither our riches nor good works can give us access to God - only Jesus.
Principle: Through Christ’s death God planned and provided for our salvation.
What is the cost of your sin? The Jews and the Gentiles were guilty of the death of the Son of God. Pilate represents all human beings. He was worried about his reputation and position in the world. He refused the faith and truth Jesus offered. Many people refuse Jesus and total commitment to Him for the same basic reasons. None of us can escape eternal destiny. It will be heaven or hell. We have a choice. Which side are you on? Do you reject Jesus’ deity or do you join other believers in following and trusting in Jesus as the Savior of the world?
John 19:28-30 – Jesus’ Death
John doesn’t describe the horrific details of death by crucifixion. Many died before they were ever crucified due to the brutal scourging that took place. Victims were forced to carry their own cross. They were stripped naked and laid out on the ground where their hands were fasted to the cross with large nails. Then the cross was raised up and fastened upright. The feet were forced together and nailed with 1 nail. Sometime it took 2 -3 days of suffering before death.
During crucifixion, dehydration is a large factor. The prisoner struggles to breathe more and more and eventually dies. The Scriptures were fulfilled when Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” – John 19:28. The soldiers gave Jesus a sponge soaked with wine vinegar. Jesus drank it and said, “It is finished.” – John 19:30. Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
Why did Jesus say He was thirsty? He said this to fulfill the Scriptures. (Psalm 69:21) It helps us understand and remember that He was fully human. He knew He had accomplished everything He came to earth to do and now it was over. The soldiers offered Him cheap wine vinegar because it was also prophesied, although the soldiers didn’t know that. This showed us again that He alone was the promised Messiah and Redeemer of the world.
His thirst was not only physical but spiritual as well. Physically He was dehydrated as His blood and sweat poured from His body. Spiritually He had been forsaken by His Father under the penalty of sin and He thirsted for the presence of His Father once again. He thirsts for us. He wants us all to come to Him. “Come! Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free give of the water of life.” – Revelation 22:17.
Do you thirst for Him?
Jesus’ death on the cross was no accident. From the very start it was God’s purpose. John showed this through the fulfillment of the prophecies. Now with Jesus’ death our sins are paid in full on the cross.
Jesus shouted in triumph, “It is finished”. This was not a weary sigh of defeat, but joyful words shouted in victory that reached throughout the universe. All Scripture foretold of His sacrifice for sin. His life was not taken from Him. He had complete authority to lay down His life and take it up again. He now awaited the resurrection to fulfill His Father’s promise. “because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.” – Acts 2:27; Psalm 16:10.
“It is finished” means Jesus’ work is done and our sins our now paid in full. The work God had given Him to do was now done (John 17:4). He was to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), provide atonement for the sins of all who would ever believe in Him (Rom. 3:23-25), and to reconcile sinful men to a holy God (2 Cor. 5:18-19).
We call the Friday before Easter “good Friday”. How can we call this good? It’s good because His mission was accomplished. All sin past, present, and future was atoned for. His pain and blood was our ransom. Isaiah 53:5 – “…by his wounds we are healed.”
He paid the price for all the sins of everyone in the world, past, present, and future. Before this the people had to sacrifice an unblemished animal for their sins. This sacrifice would make them right with God for a time, but then they would sin again, so animal sacrifices had to be made again and again. Jesus did away with that. He paid the full price for ALL sins. He was without sin, our unblemished Lamb. He is the only sacrifice we need. We may sin again and again, but He forgives us. His death saved us.
He accomplished everything God sent Him to do. We can do all kinds of good works in His Name, but we cannot add anything to what He did. The only way to respond to God’s gift of salvation through Christ’s finished work is to receive it by faith alone.
We are reminded in John 10:18 that Jesus was in control of His life. “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.”
What does the Lord want you to sacrifice for Him?
Principle: Jesus’ life wasn’t taken from Him; He willing laid it down.
Next week we will continue our study in John 19. Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site. – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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