The Gospel of John: John 19.1-42

Read and meditate on John 19.17-24.
Jesus is led away outside the city of Jerusalem, bearing His own cross. When they reached the hill called Golgotha, the crucified Him.

                                         ¹⁷And so, His own
cross bearing, He went out, outside the town
to Golgotha, ¹⁸and there they crucified
Him, and two others with Him, on each side,
and Him between them. ¹⁹Pilate wrote a sign,
and put it on the cross, a single line
that said: Jesus of Nazareth, the King
of the Jews. ²⁰And many read this title, being
in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin written clear,
and where they crucified Him being near
the city. ²¹Then the chief priests argued, “Do
not let the title read, ‘King of the Jews,’
but that ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.”’”
²²But Pilate said, “What I have written, I
have written.” ²³Those, therefore, who crucified
Him took His garments, and divided them
in four parts, and His tunic, which no seam
contained, but had been woven from the top
in one piece. ²⁴So they said, “Now let us not
destroy this tunic; let us cast lots for
it.” Thus the Scripture was fulfilled once more
which says, “My garments they divided; for
My clothing they cast lots.” The men therefore
did all these things.

- John 19.17-24

Reflect
1.  The title Pilate had fixed to the cross may at first seem like some kind of confession of faith on his part. Really, it’s just the political justification for his allowing this act. Explain. Why would giving this reason for Jesus’ death be a further humiliation to the Jews? Complete this prayer: Like Pilate, Lord, many people believe they can just dismiss You and be done with You. However…

2.  The chief priests were outraged. They hadn’t insisted on His being crucified because He was their king, but because He claimed to be their king. What’s the difference? How would they have read Pilate’s plaque? Why would that have piqued them so?Even among unbelievers themselves, Lord, confusion exists about You – Who You are, why You matter, and what You claim. I need to be faithful at…

3.  Jesus was crucified by a squad of four Roman soldiers, between two other malefactors, under a plaque stating His crime, and on a hill known as “The Place of the Skull.” What would all this imagery have communicated to the people watching this spectacle? Take a few minutes to review Psalm 22.1-18. Who’s in charge here? Lord Jesus, even in the midst of Your suffering, You rested in the sovereignty of the Father. Help me also to…

4. Meditate on Isaiah 53.4-12, especially verses 10 and 11. Jesus surely must have been clinging to the promises of these two verses – what His sacrifice would accomplish, that His days would be prolonged, that He would see the good seed of His suffering, and the pleasure of the Lord – as He underwent the suffering of crucifixion (cf. Heb. 12.1, 2). What can we learn from Jesus about how to endure suffering and hardship? Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You have showed me how to bear up when trials come. Help me to…

5.  The soldiers who crucified Jesus were not concerned about fulfilling some ancient prophecy, which they knew nothing of anyway. They were simply trying to get the most for themselves of Jesus’ only belonging. What is symbolic about this stripping Jesus of His earthly possessions, and the dividing of them? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote for questions 1-4.

Summary
“To the wicked, the sight of the Lord carrying his own cross was indeed an object of derision. But to the faithful a great mystery was revealed, for the cross was destined to become the scepter of his power. Here was the majestic spectacle of a glorious conqueror mightily overthrowing the hostile forces of the devil and nobly bearing the trophy of his victory. On the shoulders of his invincible patience he carried the sign of salvation for all the kingdoms of the earth to worship, as if on that day he would strengthen all his future disciples by the symbol of his work and say to them, ‘Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.’” Leo the Great (fl. 440-461 AD)

God made Him Who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. What did Jesus accomplish in His crucifixion? What was it absolutely necessary?

Closing Prayer
But You, O LORD, do not be far from Me;
O My Strength, hasten to help Me!
Deliver Me from the sword,
My precious life from the power of the dog.
Save Me from the lion’s mouth
And from the horns of the wild oxen!
You have answered Me.
I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.
You who fear the LORD, praise Him!
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,
And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!

Psalm 22.19-23

Psalm 22.23 (Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord is King)
All you who fear the Lord, now praise His holy Name!
You children of His glorious Word, declare His fame!
We stand in awe of our eternal God, and on His mercy call.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.