Episode 248: John 19

Today's meditation is on John Chapter 19

The King of Kings was flogged with a lead-tipped whip. A crown woven from thorns was pushed down on his head and a purple robe, signifying royalty, put on him. Then he was mocked, slapped and spit upon. 

And yet, Pilate said he didn't find any guilt in him as he showed him off to the religious leaders who called out that he should be crucified.

Pilate told them to crucify him themselves, since he found him not guilty. When the Jewish leaders said he called himself the Son of God, Pilate was more frightened than ever.

Taking Jesus back inside he asked where he was from. But Jesus didn't answer. Then Pilate, in all of his prideful humanity, asked Jesus if he realized he had the power to release him or crucify him. In truth, he had no power over Jesus at all, accept what was granted him by Jesus and the Father. 

Again, Pilate tried to release him. But the Jewish leaders threatened him by saying Jesus was a rebel against Caesar. 

In the end, Pilate turned Jesus over to the mob. It was what was required to fulfill prophecy. It was the price that had to be paid to redeem me. 

Jesus was forced to carry the cross himself, until he fell under its weight and they forced a bystander to carry it the rest of the way to Golgotha, the Place of the Skull, the place David took Goliath's head. Mount Moriah, the very place Abraham offered his son Isaac 2,000 years before; which paved the way for God to offer his Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice to redeem me.

Jesus was nailed to a cross between two thieves. Pilate had a sign posted on the cross that read, in multiple languages, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. But he was King of more than just the Jews. He is my King and the King of all Kings.

The soldiers divided his clothes among themselves, and threw dice for his robe. This perfectly fulfilled the scripture in the book of Psalms which said, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.”

Jesus's mother was standing near the cross. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and heartbreak of witnessing what was happening to her son. Even though Mary had other sons, Jesus asked John to take care of her. From then on, John took her into his home as if she was his own mother. 

Jesus knew his mission was finished. He had fulfilled his purposed on earth. He said he was thirsty, and they gave him sour wine to drink. With a loud cry, he said "It is finished!" Then he bowed his head and surrendered his spirit to Father God. 

Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus, was given permission to take down Jesus's body. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, one of the Jewish leaders who believed Jesus was the Messiah. They wrapped his body with linen and spices and placed him in an unused tomb in the garden.

It is finished. Such powerful words. Not just his mission, but my redemption. Though he still had to go to hell and defeat the enemy, the price for my sin had been paid in full. The power of sin over my life forever broken.

Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.

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