John 19

John 19:1

It has been rightly said that people are a lot like teabagsyou never really know what their true flavor is until they get in hot water. In a political boiling pot, Pontius Pilate was determined to keep the peace at any priceeven if it meant ignoring his own conscience. With the cries of, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” ringing in his ears, Pilate buckles under the pressure of the crowd, hoping that by subjecting Jesus to thirty-nine lashes with the flagelluman ordeal in itself that killed many menperhaps the crowd would be satisfied. The scourging that took place was painful beyond our understanding. Prophesied by Isaiah in chapter 53, to the thinking student of Scripture, the question becomes, “If the crucifixion of Christ provided for our redemption and salvation, what was the purpose of the scourging?” Peter tells us in his epistle that by His stripes we are healed (1Pe_2:24). Thus, while the Crucifixion provides for our redemption presently and eternallyit is the stripes Jesus bore and absorbed that actually release the grace of healing for our bodies physically.

John 19:4

“Behold the man,” or literally, “Here is a man.” After having endured the bursting of blood vessels as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, the beating in the courtyards of the high priest and Pontius Pilate, and the brutal blows of the flagellum, Jesus, as Isaiah prophesied, was marred beyond recognition (Isa_52:14). We have heard this account so often, and we know it so well that it loses its punch oftentimes. We know Jesus was beaten. We know He was marred more than any man and eventually nailed to a tree. But I think it would do us well sometimes to take a long walk in the evening or get up early in the morning to consider what Jesus willingly went through with you on His mind and in His heart. We were on His mind. We were on His heart when He took those blows, felt that pain, and endured unspeakable suffering. It was all for me. It was all for you.

John 19:6

The uniqueness of Jesus is verified by the fact that Pilate went on record, saying, “I find no fault in Him"a finding that has never been disputed by historian or cynic. According to many historical records, Pilate himself committed suicide not long after this.

John 19:7

“Jesus never claimed deity,” the cultist insists. Take him to this passage and say, “The Jewish leaders understood very clearly His claim to deity. That is why they killed Him.”

John 19:8

Pilate thought he was in a position of power, when in reality he was simply a pawn. God is always on the throne. Everything goes according to His plan.

John 19:12

As Pilate sits down in his judgment seat to make a decision, the irony is that he himself is being judged on the basis of his response to Jesus Christ. So, too, some of you will sit back and say, “I’m going to analyze, scrutinize, and evaluate Jesus Christ.” In reality, however, you’re not judging Him, but your reaction to Him is judging you because He is the King of kings regardless of what you decide. He’s going to have His way whether you choose to get on board or not. Thus, the judgment seat you’re occupying right now is that of your own judgment. And how you respond to Him will determine whether you go to heaven or spend eternity in hell.

John 19:14

Throughout history, the nation of Israel has undergone unparalleled pain and problems. Why? In 1 Samuel 8, we see the Jews rejecting the Father as they begged Samuel for a king to rule over them. Here in John 19, we see them refusing the Son as they cry, “We have no king but Caesar.” Finally, in Acts 7, we see them resisting the Spirit, and stoning Stephen as a result. Rejecting the Father in the Old Testament, refusing the Son in the Gospels, and resisting the Spirit in the Book of Acts caused the collapse of the people of Israel. But God is faithful. The message of Romans 9-11 is that even though Israel has refused the Son, rejected the Father, and resisted the SpiritGod will keep His promises to her. And all of Israel shall be saved.

John 19:16

In Latin, “Golgotha” is “Calvary,” or “The place of the skull.”

John 19:18

Between two thieves is a fitting place for our Lord to be positioned because He is the Ultimate Thief. He’s stolen my heart and wants to steal yours.

John 19:19

Hebrew was the theological language; Greek, the intellectual language; and Latin, the political language. Let those who view things theologically; let those who view things intellectually; let those who view things politically know this: Jesus is King.

John 19:21

Pilate at last shows a little courage when he says, “What I’ve written stays.”

John 19:23

According to Exodus 28, the high priest’s robe was to be made of one piece of material. Jesus being the great High Priest, His robe was seamless as well. So here are the soldiersplaying games on Golgotha, even as Jesus was dying for their sins. Are we doing that? I wonder. Those in the “Name It and Claim It” camp say, “I’ll get some nice clothes, a faster car, a bigger house on the basis of the finished work of the Cross.” This ought not to be.

John 19:25

When Jesus was healing the sick, and feeding the multitudes, He captivated people’s attention. Like metal filings to a magnet, the masses were drawn to Him. But as His ministry progressed, when His teaching became a little more intense, the number of those who followed Him was reduced from thousands to seemingly hundreds. Only seventy shared the gospel of the kingdom (Luk_10:1). Only twelve left everything to follow Him. And of the twelve only three would be with Him on the Mount of Transfiguration, where He spoke of His death and in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He prayed with such intensity. And of the three, only one would be at the foot of the Cross. But there were four women therealthough it was not easy for them. It was not easy for Mary to watch her Son convulsing in pain, or for her sister to hear the curses hurled at Him. It was not easy for the wife of Cleophas to see the spit of the crowd running down His face, or for Mary Magdalene to see His blood flowing from His wounds. But these four women, lovers of the Lord and followers of Him, were there at the foot of the Cross, no matter how great the price, no matter how deep the pain. Why would Jesus use the word gune, or “woman"a term of great respect but not particularly affectionate? Perhaps because His use of this term would cause Mary’s mind to race back to a point three years previously when, at the very outset of His public ministry, He had used this same term. “They have no wine,” she had saidperhaps hoping that her own reputation would be salvaged when a thirsty wedding party saw that her Son was who she had always said He was. “Woman, what have I to do with thee? My hour is not yet come,” Jesus had answered her (Joh_2:4). Jesus did, indeed, provide wine for the wedding. But no one knew about it except some lowly slaves. Yet here on the Cross, Mary’s request is finally answered, for it was at the Cross where even the most cynical Roman centurion would look at Him and say, “Truly, this must be the Son of God” (see Mat_27:54). I find this fascinating in light of the fact that, as we know from Mat_13:55-56, Jesus had four half brothers and a bunch of sisters. Yet He bypassed the earthly bloodline and established a new family. And in so doing fulfilled the prophecy of Psa_69:8: “I am become a stranger unto my brethren and an alien unto my mother’s children.” You see, at this point, Jesus’ brothers didn’t believe in Him. So He turned to one who did. Why John? No doubt it was partly because John was therethe only male disciple willing to jeopardize his life by taking a stand at the foot of the Cross. Yet perhaps it was only fitting that Jesus entrust the one whose breast had cradled Him to the one who had himself reclined on His own breast (Joh_13:25). A family is formed at the Cross because that’s where true families are forged and held together. The Family Tree A Topical Study of Joh_19:25-27 Crucifixion was developed by the Persians, today called the Iranians, around the year 1000 B.C. Designed to be excruciatingly painful, its purpose was to bring a man such agony that not only would his body convulse physiologically, but he would be tormented psychologically to such an extent that he would blaspheme and curse the very life he lived. But because the Persians considered the ground of their country to be holy, they mandated that a crucified victim be elevated lest his cursing defile it. That is why when a man was crucified he was raised up usually three to four feet off the ground. When the Greeks took over the Persian Empire, they adopted crucifixion. And when the Romans came on the scene, they borrowed it from the Greeks. Here in John 19, the Romans are ruling the world. And on a hill outside Jerusalem, we see Jesus being crucified on a tree. Yet even as His body was writhing in pain beyond anything we could possibly even begin to imagine, even as His body was bleeding, even as His muscles were twitching, Jesus our Lord had such clarity of thought and such a heart of love that in the midst of His misery, He was able to look down from the Cross and care for His mother. “Woman,” He said, “behold thy son.” Then, looking at John, He said, “Behold thy mother,“and in that single moment a family was birthed. Perhaps John took Mary into his house that very hour, sparing her from having to witness the most painful part of her Son’s crucifixion. As reported in newspapers and magazines, unmarried couples living together is growing in acceptability in our country even as divorce rates soar and the family unit breaks down. At the same time, surveys indicate that the divorce rate in the church is only about five percentage points behind the soaring divorce rate of the world. Whereas divorce in the church was virtually unheard of thirty years ago, it is now taking place at a dizzying rate. What’s going on? I believe the vignette before us powerfully underscores the fact that Jesus did more to solve the problems of marriage and the family in two sentences than Christian books have done in two hundred thousand volumes, for it is here we see the true family tree: the Cross of Calvary. Family Forms Around the Cross When the soldier thrust his spear in Jesus’ side, out came a mixture of blood and water. Every woman who has given birth knows blood and water are the fluids of birthing. The blood and water that flowed from the side of Jesus resulted in the birth of a bonding between John and Mary that was absolutely unbreakable until death separated them. Why is it that you and I will do just about anything to keep our families togetherfrom taking a family vacation to Hawaii, to playing Monopoly on Tuesdays or soccer together on Saturdaysyet when it comes to telling a father or mother, a husband or wife that bonding and binding take place only at the foot of the Cross, our response is usually, “But I was looking for something a little more practical”? I’m a fool if I take my kids to basketball games, go on family vacations, and read every parenting book available, but don’t take them to the one place where bonding and binding truly take place. Satan will let you do all kinds of good things if he can keep you away from the Cross of Calvaryfor it is there alone, through prayer and humility, through remembering what Jesus did on our behalf, that true bonding begins. Forgiveness Flows from the Cross Think back to the soldier with the spear. As he withdrew the spear that had cut Jesus deeply, that had been thrust into His side callously, on the tip of the spear was the blood of the Lamba reminder that no matter how deep the wound, how callous the cut, the blood of the Lamb cleanses and covers. It’s at Calvarywhen a husband and wife drink of the cup and eat of the body togetherthat they can no longer foster petty bickering and unforgiving attitudes toward each other. It’s at Calvary where cruelty between brothers and sisters ends, where wounds inflicted upon us by our own family are healed, where forgiveness flows freely. If your home is a battlefield, you can watch Christian TV and listen to Christian radio by the houror you can choose to go to Calvary together and say, “Let’s remember what He’s done for us,” as we eat together of His body. Many of you will choose to take the other route. You’ll keep searching and struggling, trying this, that, and the other as you wonder what’s wrong. But until you go to the Cross and pray together, you’re fighting a losing battle. It’s only at Calvary that forgiveness flows freely. Fickleness Flees at the Cross Jesus didn’t say, “Woman, if you’re into this, would you consider opening your heart to John and maybe begin a relationship and see if it works out? And if it does, John, would you consider perhaps trying to communicate your heart and talk with Mary?” No, with blood flowing freely, Jesus said, “This is the way it is. Woman, that’s your son. John, there’s your mother.” Period. No discussion. No debate. No argument. It’s a done deal. What does the Lord say to you? He says the same thing. “Husband, wife, you’re married. That’s it. Divorce is not an option. Trial separations are not an option. Period.” You will see your fickleness flee when you say, “Divorce is not a word that shall be uttered from my lips. It will not be spoken in this house. It is not an option.” Precious people, there are only a few things in Scripture that God says He hates. And one of them is divorce. I don’t care how tough it might be living with her because she’s so cold to you, or how much you might want to split because he doesn’t say nice things. If you really understood how God feels about divorce, you would make your marriage work. I know there are many in this room who have been divorced, who have been deserted. Your husband or wife just walked out. Divorce was the last thing you desired. The Lord looks on you and at you with love. And if you continue to trust in Him, He will restore to you the years the locust has eaten (Joe_2:25). But if you willingly and rebelliously walk out on your family, the repercussions and scars will follow you all the days of your life. That’s why a loving Father says, “I hate divorce” (see Mal_2:16). Any man who stands at the foot of the Cross, any woman who bows in front of the Tree, will find fickleness replaced with fortitude, and capriciousness with commitment as they are reminded of the One who gave His life for them. Fuzziness Fades at the Cross Not only were Salome’s two sons in the apostolic band, but she herself was part of a group of women who followed the Lord and ministered to the practical needs of Jesus and His disciples. At one point, we see Salome begin to worship Jesus. But Scripture says she also “desired of Him” (see Mat_20:20)meaning she had a request for Him. How often that’s a mistake I make. “I love You, Lord. Oh, and by the way, I have this request…” How easily we fall into the subtle error of worshiping the Lord that we might “soften Him up” and then slip in our petition. How much better it is to be like the wise men. They traveled a great distance, bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh to a toddler, who, at that point, could do nothing for them. They didn’t come for manipulation; they came for adoration. They didn’t come to get something from Him; they came to give something to Him. They didn’t come for what He could do; they came because of who He was. Not so Salome. She worshiped Him and then asked, “Lord, could one of my sons be at Your right, the other at Your left when You come into Your kingdom?” Perhaps gently shaking His head, Jesus answered, “You know not what you ask.” At the time, Salome didn’t understand His answer. But at the foot of the Cross, as she saw one man being crucified on Jesus’ left, one man on His right, it must have all become so clear. So, too, when, like Salome, you really see Jesus on the Cross, dying for you, you’ll say, “If You loved me enough to die for me, I know I can trust You with my life completely. And if You say I don’t know what I’m asking, I’m just going to leave it there and trust You.” Gang, the Lord always does what’s best. Even if you don’t see it immediately, you’ll look back and see it eventually. But don’t take my word for it. As Salome did, climb the hill to Calvary and see Jesus on the Cross. And as you look at the One dying for you, the fuzziness of your faith, the double-mindedness of your worship, God’s Provision in the past and promise for the future will all come sharply into focus. If He died for you then, don’t you know He loves you now? If He paid that price for you then, can’t you trust Him today? You know He’s going to only do what’s best for you and for your family. The Cross of Calvary proves it and experience will verify it.

John 19:28

“My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?” cried Jesussignifying to all in attendance that He was the fulfillment of Psalm 22. “Today you will be with Me in paradise,” He said to the thiefsetting the precedent for salvation by faith alone. “Behold thy mother,” He said to John, thereby establishing a new order of family. Redemption and sanctification, justification and propitiationquestions of eternal import were being settled on the Cross. And yet Jesus also declared, “I thirst"reminding us of the personal agony He endured through it all.

John 19:30

Mom and Dad, when your kids have questionsbe it concerning resentment toward some other kid at school, bitterness about someone who hurt them, or rivalry in the familythe crux of the matter is always discerned at the foot of the Cross. No wonder that the Latin word crux means “cross.” “It is finished.” This Greek phrase denotes such power that if Jesus’ hands hadn’t been nailed down, it would have been uttered with a clenched fist raised in the air. It was the phrase an artist would use when he put the last stroke on his paper; a writer when he put the last period in his book. It was the statement a businessman would make when a transaction was final; the pronouncement given concerning a lamb that passed inspection. Every other religion and cult bases its teaching on what one must do. Only true New Testament Christianity bases a belief system not on what remains to be done, but on what He’s already done. We can’t do anything to get right with God or closer to God except to realize that it’s all been done. And as we continue in our walk, we continue to say, “I’m coming to You, Father, expecting Your blessing and confident of Your grace not because of who I am, but because of what Your Son accomplished when He cried, “It is Finished.”

John 19:31

The next day was Passover, so the Jews didn’t want the bodies left on the crosses. “Let us break their legs,” the Jews said to Pilate, “and speed up death so we can move on with our holy convocation.”

John 19:32

Medical experts tell us that the outpouring of blood and water indicates that Jesus died literally of a ruptured heart, a broken heart. Blood and water are also the fluids of birthfor just as a bride was birthed from the side of the first Adam, so the church was birthed through the blood and water from the side of the last Adam.

John 19:35

If you look at prophecies given and fulfilled in Jesus simply to prove that He is the fulfillment of those prophecies, you’re missing a great deal. In this case, John takes four or five verses to make it clear that, just as prophesied, not a bone of Jesus was broken. Why is this so important? Because where is blood continually produced in the body? It’s produced in the bone. Therefore, God mandated not a bone of His would be broken, ensuring a perpetual and inexhaustible supply of blood. That’s why Paul could later declare, “Where sin abounds, grace abounds yet more,” (Rom_5:20). Truly, the blood of Jesus Christ is sufficient to cleanse you from every sin you have ever committed or will commit because not a bone of His was broken.

John 19:38

Suddenly, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea, men who were once hesitant to be seen with Jesus, asked permission to take His body. Because the bodies of crucified victims were destined for a garbage heap, this request would ruin Joseph’s business and jeopardize Nicodemus’ religious standing. The way to motivate people to serve Christ is not to make them feel guilty, not to put pressure on them, not to try to manipulate their emotionsbut simply to allow them, like Nicodemus and Joseph, to see what He did for them on the Cross.

John 19:40

Joseph takes the body, wraps it in linen, and places it in a stone tomb with myrrh and spicesjust as another Joseph, thirty-three years earlier, had taken the same body, wrapped Him in swaddling linen cloth, placed Him in a stone manger, and watched as He was presented with myrrh. In Leviticus 16, it is prescribed that on one day each yearYom Kippur, the Day of Atonementthe high priest was to trade his beautiful priestly robes for the simple linen robes worn by his fellow priests. And what did the high priest do on the Day of Atonement? He went through the veil into the Holy of Holies to sprinkle blood on the lid, or mercy seat, of the ark of the covenantthe two- foot-by-three foot box that held the Ten Commandments. If he were defiled, he would stay in that place as a dead man and would later have to be pulled out with a rope. But if he wasn’t defiled, he would walk out into the courtyard of the temple to the jubilant cries of the people who knew they were forgiven for another year. Here, our great High Priest, Jesus Christ, is inside the tomb. Would He emerge? Did the sacrifice work? Are we free? Only if He came out among the people as He had prophesied could there truly be celebration and could we know our sins are forgivennot just for one year, but forever.