Lessons from John 19: The King of Jews
Now it appears that though Pilate, who hadn’t stood for the right thing when he had the chance, now stands his ground as he has written on Jesus sign the words, “This is Jesus, The King of the Jews.” This infuriated the Jews, and they protested saying, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews..” Yet, Pilate, who was a shrewd politician and knew that these words would insult and embarrass these religious leaders, refused to change it.
Yet, God used what Pilate intended for evil for the good and glory of Jesus Christ.
You see, the fact that this title was written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin is significant. Latin is significant for two reasons. One is that it was the language of the law, and second, it shows that Jesus was crucified in a place where many people and nations met; a cosmopolitan or international place. Hebrew being the language of religion and Greek of philosophy. All three combined spoke to the world at that time of the unjust crucifixion of the Son of God.
Yet though the whole world would turn against Him, He would die for the whole world! And so without realizing it, Pilate wrote the first gospel tract, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews,” which caught the attention and heart of one of the thieves who hung on his own cross that day.
As these men were nailed to their crosses, hands and in most cases their feet also so that the victim would be able to lift up their body from time to time to alleviate the strain upon their arms, chest, and diaphragm…they were then lifted up before the people…with the two robbers on either side, while Jesus was placed in the middle.
As the pain intensified, the two robbers began to cry out in anguish and despair. They were cursing the Romans who had judged them, along with their own kinsmen the Jews and maybe even their fathers and mothers for giving them birth and ultimately God Himself. And it appears that when the thieves noticed that all attention was on Jesus, they too joined in with the insults and taunting of Jesus that day.
And then we are told in v.24b that the four soldiers divided up Jesus clothing, leaving his most intimate apparel for last and cast lots for it. And we are told that this happened so that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, “They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing,” which you read in Psalm 22.
Jesus owned nothing except for the clothes on His body, and now even that had been stripped from Him, leaving Jesus naked and exposed before the crowds of people entering into Jerusalem in order that they might participate in the Passover Feast and Celebrations.
Matthew 27:39 tells us that those who passed by hurled insults at Him shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the Temple and build it up in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” (They challenged what Jesus had already proved…that He was God’s divine Son). Yet, because Jesus is the Son of God, who always obeys the will of the Father, Jesus did not come down from the cross.
Now, in the same way, the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders mocked Him. They said, “He saved others, but he can’t save Himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue Him now if He wants Him, for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
Matthew and Luke both tell us that one of the soldiers offered Jesus some wine vinegar to drink, this was like a sedative, but after tasting it, Jesus refused it. It was offered to help reduce the feeling of pain and thus mask a part or portions of the suffering. Jesus refused in order that He might experience the full measure of suffering. Jesus, not wanting to ease His pain, but rather to drink the whole cup of God’s wrath for sinful men, women, and children.
Principle: Christ suffered the ultimate death so that you and I wouldn’t have to be eternally separated from God.
Terri Hamman
Faith & Fitness Coach