John-No Greater Love
Orient John 19:17-42
This installment of our series through John covers a sacred set of text: The Crucifixion. This passage contains many fulfilled prophecies about the Messiah from multiple books from the old testament. Nicodemus, whom Jesus had spoken to in chapter 3, returns to assist in the burial of the body.
Introduction
Not much needs to said in preparation for today’s meditative reading. To Christians all over the world, the sacrificial act of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith and salvation. Without His triumphant act, we will still be lost in sin. Our response to the atoning work of Jesus is the critical question all must answer: will I accept what He did for me? It is God’s desire that all will come to repentance[1] when they behold His willingness to suffer in our place. He makes this clear as even in His death, the deity of Jesus is was displayed in plain sight. In a raised area by the city (Golgotha), a sign bearing the inscription “King of the Jews” was displayed in multiple languages so all people visiting the city during holy week could see who He was. Today’s scripture also makes clear who Jesus was and His great love for you. Have you seen and believed? John, who was present at the moment where Jesus gave up His spirit says[2] “He [John] who saw it has born witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe.”
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, it is hard but necessary for me to remember what my salvation cost You. You bore the crossbeam on Your shoulders, stripped as men gambled for your clothes, with Your mother and best friend watching the physical agony You would go through. The cup that held sour wine did not ease Your suffering. You gave up Your spirit; it was not taken from You. The blood and water that gushed from Your body was for me. I will look upon You today, whom was pierced in humble gratitude and awe at Your courage and submission. Amen
Meditation
Read and reread the following passage, taking God’s word in deeply. As you do be sensitive to a phrase or verse the Holy Spirit emphasizes to you personally.
17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”
23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic.[a] But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,
“They divided my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.”
So the soldiers did these things, 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him.33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”
38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus[b] by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds[c] in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Paraphrase
Rewrite the phrase or verse that the Holy Spirit highlighted during meditation. What is your take away?
Reflect
1. Jesus cared about people to the very end. His mother, a widow, was there at His death. On the cross, He charges John to take her into His home, making sure she is cared for. He does this while undergoing the intense physical suffering. What does this say about the love of Christ? When you are suffering, do you find it easy to think of others?
2. Even in the hour of His death, Jesus fulfilled Scripture by refusing the gall He was offered earlier[3]and instead drinking the sour wine. The hyssop branch used for Him to drink was also used at Passover to sprinkle the blood over the doorposts of the house from the Lamb that was sacrificed. Even the manner of His death came from Scripture that that described the cursed display[4]. By fulfilling Scripture, Jesus gives the ultimate testimony to its trustworthiness and the plan of God for all salvation from the foundation of the world[5]. Do you trust God’s words in scripture?
3. Where He was crucified there was a garden[6]. His death for us was a thing of beauty, a garden where things die to be born again. Death is not the end for Christ and it is not for us who trust in Him. Yet all must die to be born again. Jesus told this to Nicodemus in chapter 3, the same man who came to bury Him. Spend some time in worship and prayer, for this unjust act taken against Christ is a source of life for us. A suggested worship song is The Garden by Kari Jobe.
Closing Prayer
Jesus, You died for me. There is no greater act than what You did. I am unworthy yet oh so grateful. Your love echos out to eternity, for those who were at the foot of the cross to those who would believe in their message. You fulfilled the Father’s plan for my reconciliation and it is faithfully recorded in Your word for me to meditate on and remember. Let me turn to scripture for every need I have. Let it shape me and change me. Life awaits me to be with You forever, never to be separated. You and all your works are Beauty.
Continue praying personally to the Lord with what He showed you during mediation and reflection.
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