#31 – Knowing God Better – John 19 (continued)

Last study we read the prophet Isaiah’s description of the Messiah being crucified: beaten, whipped, pierced for our rebellion, etc.

Ok, in John 19…

16…So they took Jesus away. 17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull…
18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them.

Look at these verses:

23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe,
but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw
dice for it.”
This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did.

Look at what the prophet David said in Psalms 22 (another chapter from the Old Testament, that describes Jesus’ crucifixion):

16 My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs… They have pierced my hands and feet.
17 I can count all my bones.
My enemies stare at me and gloat.
18 They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.

Crucifixion was the Roman form of torture, always leading to death.

They nailed Jesus’ wrists and feet to a cross. The cross was then raised.

Yet, in that state, look at Jesus’ concern for his mother…

26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved…

(This is how the apostle John referred to himself in his gospel. He viewed his highest worth in terms of Jesus…”the disciple whom Jesus loved.”)

Jesus said to his mother, Mary:

26…”Dear woman, here is your son.” 27 And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.

Q – According to the next verse, how would you describe Jesus’ mission on earth?
A –

28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.”

See Psalms 22 again:

14 My life is poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax,
melting within me.
15 My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.

Back to John 19:

29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.

This is Jesus, who healed the blind, the lame, the demon-possessed. He brought Lazarus and others back to life. Clearly, the nails did not keep him on the cross.

Q – According to Jesus’ statement from John 10 (below), were the Jews and Romans in control of Jesus’ crucifixion?
A –

18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again.

Before they took Jesus down from the cross, they wanted to make sure he was dead.

33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead… 34 One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

I am told that a medical evidence of death is when blood and water separates.

I love John’s added note here. He sounds like a coroner:

35 (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also can believe.)

Next study will be the burial and the resurrection of Jesus!!

Sincerely,

Marilyn Adamson
director of EveryStudent.com
and StartingwithGod.com