The Gospel of John Lesson 84 (08-17-14) John 19:18

The Gospel of John Lesson 84 (08-17-14)

Lesson 84 – John 19:18

Jesus arrives at Golgotha and is now nailed to a cross and is crucified between two thieves. When looking at the Cross we are often found taking a somewhat mechanical or chronological approach to the events that happened that day wanting to put all of the events and details of that day in some kind of systematic or chronological order. Doing so gives us what we think is more of a full picture of what happened that day.

Although this approach is not only helpful but necessary to understand the work of the Cross, it is not how the Gospel writers chose to give their description of what happened that day. In looking at their accounts some of them seemed to give more details than others and none of them seemed to put all of the details in chronological order. It is like when giving their accounts they were shooting from the hip, so to speak, not always concerned so much about the order of the events as much as being concerned about capturing and relaying the heart of what happened on that day.

When looking at the Cross a good starting place to really begin to know what happened or went on that day is to begin with Jesus and what was happening between Him and the Father. Most who were there that day were looking at the external events; however, as important as those offenses that were committed against our Lord that day were, there was more to the Cross then just those external events.

We will never know all that went on that day on the Cross. Much of it was personal, worked out between Jesus and the Father. While those who were there that day were watching the drama of the external events that was unfolding what was being missed by most was the actual purpose of the events that were happening. As often happens, the drama of the moment often hides what really happened.

Some there that day got it, however, but they were few. One of them was the thief on the Cross. At first even He missed it. Initially when first hung on his cross alongside of Jesus he was found casting dispersions upon Jesus along with the other thief and those present, finding fault in what he thought was Jesus’ inability to not live up to His claims.

The daughters of Jerusalem found in Luke chapter 23 also missed what was actually happening because of the external drama of the moment and the crowd as Jesus was passing them carrying His cross. They looked at Jesus’ physical position and situation and assumed the wrong thing. They had assumed that Jesus did not measure up to their expectation of Him being the Promised Messiah and King. They had expected a King and found Jesus to be out of their expected character being beaten and bruised and eventually hung on a cross of offense. Not the way that they had pictured their Savior.

However, what they there that day had missed was the reality of what was actually happening at that moment on that cross. Again what they saw was a supposed or would be king in no position to resemble that possibility. What they missed was the work of a true Savior that was being worked out between Jesus and the Father in the midst of these external events. Much like the daughters of Jerusalem that missed the reality of what Jesus was really doing in that moment, so to, those present at this moment while Jesus hung on the Cross were preoccupied by how things looked missing the reality of what was actually happening.

So what was happening at that moment on the Cross? We may never know the full story. However, God does give us a more personal and intimate look at the behind the scenes of the Cross in some of the prophetic passages of the Old Testament.

For a more personal look at what actually transpired that day one might take a look, for instance, at Psalm 22. In this Psalm we find a more personal look at what was going on between Jesus and the Father on the Cross. While others were looking at Jesus in His pitiful state bleeding on the Cross, Jesus was working out our salvation with the Father.

The 22^nd Psalm gives us an insight as to the dialog He was having with the Father. In Psalm 22:1-2 Jesus speaks of His being abandon by the Father because of our sins. Jesus had never known separation from the Father before. In Ps. 22:1 Jesus asks Him why He is so far from Him and why He does not come to His rescue. This verse is in direct correlation with Matthew’s account found in Mt. 27:46 Jesus asking “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me”.

V. 2 tells us that God did not answer Him when He called on Him. On the Cross we hear Jesus cry out, “My God, my God why has Thou forsaken me and V. 2 continues by saying that His soul found no rest. This verse correlates with Mt. 27:45 describing the periods of light and darkness while on the Cross.

In Psalm 22 verses 3-5 we find an example of Jesus praising the Father even in the midst of shame and physical torture. Even yet His Hope is sure. He is confident of it because His trust is in the Father.

In vs. 6-8 we see Him describe His situation calling and longing for relief and help. Verses 6-13 correlate with Matthew’s account in Mt. 27:39-44. In v. 9 Jesus reminds the Father not to forget that He was the one that birthed Him and in v. 10 that He is totally dependent on Him. In v. 11 He reminds the Father that He is His only hope.

In vs. 12 and 13 Jesus describes His place and position and that it is a dangerous one and that even though it is extremely dangerous that He is unable to defend Himself being completely and fully at the mercy of those around him. He also reminds the Father that those around Him are indeed strong while He is totally vulnerable. At this point Jesus is in no position to physically deal with those in front of Him that have the strength and determination of a ravenous lion, v. 13. Jesus sees what is before Him and can do nothing about it.

In vs. 14-5 He describes His spirit that it is all poured out and that there is nothing left. He is near unto death. All of His bones are out of joint and His heart is like wax that is pliable and can go in any direction of the emotions eventually melting being totally void of life. He is on impulse power, barely alive. His will does not drive His heart at this point. His heart is driven by emotions.

All of His strength is dried up like a broken pot that is unable to hold any water, v. 15. His spirit and body are so dry that His tongue now sticks to His mouth. If it wasn’t for the Cross He would have dropped to the ground by now due to total and complete physical exhaustion. He gives up and waits for God to lay Him on the ground waiting for the dust to consume Him.

V. 16 Even at this late stage, being completely vulnerable He realizes that He is surrounded by the wicked that are looking to do Him harm. They have pierced His hands and feet. V. 17 Because of His pain He can feel every bone in His body and because of His pain could count every bone in His body if He but had the energy.

His oppressors stand not only in front of Him, but over Him. They stare and gloat with intimidating looks. V. 18 there is nothing left. They take His garments and cloths from Him dividing them among them. Even Christ’s modesty is damaged. V. 18 is a clear prophetic passage referring to the casting of lots for a piece of His clothing.

Vs. 19-21, His last request that the Father come quickly to His aid and deliver Him from His adversaries and the forces of darkness that surround Him.

Vs. 22-4 Even when it appears that all is lost and He is at the end He is assured of the Father’s love and faithfulness, even in death. In v. 22 He proclaims that He will testify Himself being alive to His brothers of the Father’s faithfulness referring to His resurrection.

Others had the same hope that death could not separate them from God’s promise. Abraham was one of them believing that God would raise Isaac from the dead if necessary. However, unlike Abraham and Isaac Jesus knew that He would die. But, at the same time He was assured that He would personally testify of the faithfulness of the Father to His brothers being the first to rise from the dead. He encourages others in v. 23 to follow His example and not give up hope placing their hope in the Father and the resurrection.

In v. 25 He proclaims that the praise that He gives He has received from the Father and in v. 26 He encourages those that are afflicted to trust and remain faithful for the Lord will save His own.

In vs. 27-8 Jesus is assured a victory…even now when things look so grim. He proclaims in the end what He is doing will in the end affect and overcome the entire earth turning them toward the Lord. He proclaims that all families of the nations will worship before Him and He shall rule the nations.

V. 29 may refer to the kings and prominent that will come and sup with the Lord during the Millennium. Even those dead and in the dust will come forward and bow before Him. All are dependent upon this One that hangs before them that at present looks so helpless.

At the end of the chapter in v. 31 the Psalmist reminds us that this One that is hanging on the Cross that looks so helpless and so pitiful, ripped and torn with the Life squeezed out of Him is indeed the Victor and the One that has done this. Most of them there that day, at least at that time, missed this. But, we know that one did not. The thief right next to Him got it. He saw what was happening and placed his faith in the One next to him that looked so helpless.

In the end Jesus cries out to the Father and to them there like He did to the Daughters of Jerusalem that were unaware of what was really happening. In seeing the blindness of those that were there, and, for all that would look on this account thereafter, Jesus was moved with compassion in Luke 23:24 and prayed a prayer to the Father saying in essence that those present did not know what was really happening there that day, asking the Father to forgive them.

Most there that day being focused only on the externals missed what was really happening at the moment. As important as the external sufferings are to our salvation, may we not miss the important work that was done on the Cross between Jesus and the Father that made our redemption sure and complete.  As Jesus said in v. 30 of John chapter 19, “It is finished!”

Much more went on that day than met the eye. While onlookers watched external events Jesus was working out the details of the complete and full payment of our sins with the Father. May we not miss the reality of the work of the Cross on our behalf.  Like the thief on the cross that eventually got it, may we to acknowledge and receive His offer of forgiveness for our sin debt. May we do it today, for tomorrow may be too late. Praise Him!!