Crucified King

This morning we are going to look at Jesus’ crucifixion.

We have already looked at the trials that led up to the crucifixion.

We have already seen the betrayal, cowardliness, and attitudes of those that wanted Jesus crucified.

These things are readily apparent in the pages of John’s gospel.

But even in the midst of those things, I want us to remember something that can be easy for us to forget.

Jesus wasn’t a helpless victim.

He wasn’t out of control.

He wasn’t a pawn by the religious leaders or Pilate.

Jesus was in control of the entire situation.

From beginning to End, John’s Gospel illustrates the power and magnificence of Jesus.

John wants us to see Jesus as God in flesh.

John wants us to see Jesus as sovereign or in control of every event in his life, including his death.

Throughout the events of the gospel we are continually reminded that the time for Jesus’ death had not arrived.

That the events leading up to his death were not set in motion, that is until Jesus says that they are in John 12:23 “23 Jesus replied to them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”

We have also seen that Jesus is willingly giving up his own life.

John 10:18 “18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.””

And Last week we see that he holds the authority over Pilate and the Jewish Leaders.

John 19:11 “11 “You would have no authority over me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above...”

Jesus is aware of his calling.

He is resolute in his mission and

He is in control of the situation.

We will also see this in the scriptures we are going to read this morning.

John makes a special effort to let us know that everything that happens at the crucifixion is to fulfill scripture.

And again b/c Jesus is the creator and the one who came down from heaven, he is making sure that the scriptures he authored are fulfilled by the events that are taking place.

Not one thing regarding Jesus’ crucifixion was accidental or circumstantial.

There was purpose in it all.

John also records it the way that he does, b/c there is purpose in his description.

His purpose is “so that you may believe.”

That being said, John includes and excludes things found in the other gospels.

But everything that is included is purposeful and everything that is excluded is also purposeful.

I don’t want us to get too hung up on those things this morning, so we are going to focus on what John tells us.

Before we do, let’s pray.

John 19:16–22 CSB

16 Then he handed him over to be crucified. Then they took Jesus away. 17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called Place of the Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him and two others with him, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. 19 Pilate also had a sign made and put on the cross. It said: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The king of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the king of the Jews.’ ” 22 Pilate replied, “What I have written, I have written.”

Crucified King

The crucifixion of Jesus isn’t narrated in a horrific way here in John’s gospel.

Jesus is handed over to the soldiers and made to carry the cross.

Most likely he would have only carried the cross beam and not the entirety of the cross.

The vertical beam was usually left at the crucifixion site and the cross beam was attached when the execution was going to happen.

One of the glaring omissions of Jesus’ journey compared to the other gospels is that John doesn’t include Simon of Cyrene helping Jesus carry the cross.

Instead, Jesus carries the cross himself.

What is happening here is that Jesus carried the cross until he couldn’t carry it anymore, and then Simon helped him out.

But initially, John wants us to see that Jesus is the one carrying the burden to the Cross.

He is the one that has been whipped and condemned all the while being innocent.

He is the Shepherd king laying down his life for his sheep.

In John 18-19, John takes special effort to make sure the audience that reads his gospel knows that he is portraying him as King.

Jesus is the messiah.

The savior.

The king of all creation.

This is seen in the exchanges with Pilate during the Roman Trial.

This is seen in the mockery placed on Jesus with the crown and robe.

This is also seen here by what Pilate inscribes above Jesus’ head on the cross.

It wasn’t unusual for the Roman leader to write or have written for him the crimes of one sentenced to be crucified.

This would act as a warning to those traveling in and around the city that there is a proper way to act and if you don’t act that way you will be taken care of in the most brutal of ways.

The place of crucifixion was near the city, so many people, would see the sight.

In fact, crucifixions and capital punishment in general was a widely viewed event.

It was entertainment for the people.

So many people would see the three being crucified.

Especially b/c the Passover brought in a lot of extra people to the city.

Jesus was on full display for all of Jerusalem to see.

And Pilate’s inscription “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” was a way for Pilate to poke at and antagonize the Jewish leaders.

That’s why they wanted it changed.

That’s why they petitioned Pilate to rewrite the inscription.

But for whatever the reason, Pilate discovered his backbone in this moment and refused to change it.

John tells us that the Inscription was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek.

This is important and serves a greater purpose than Pilate could ever have known.

Aramaic was the language spoken by the Jewish People.

Latin was the Official language of the Roman Empire.

And Greek was the universal language of Commerce.

Pilate’s decision to display Jesus’ condemnation in all three of these languages shows us the universality of Jesus’ death.

That Jesus didn’t just die for the Jewish people.

But his death is for anyone who will believe.

Jew or Gentile.

Jesus exaltation on the Cross draws all types of men to him.

That’s what Jesus said in John 12:32 “32 As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself.””

Here that truth is on full display.

John 19:23–24 CSB

23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, a part for each soldier. They also took the tunic, which was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. 24 So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it, to see who gets it.” This happened that the Scripture might be fulfilled that says: They divided my clothes among themselves, and they cast lots for my clothing. This is what the soldiers did.

Scripture Fulfilled: Divided Clothes

As a Roman Executioner, one of the perks you recieved was the right to take from the guilty whatever you wanted.

Much like a robber rifling through the pockets of their victim, the executioners were granted the right to take from their victim.

And here John tells us that those crucifying Jesus, took his clothes.

This would have included his belt, sandals, and outer tunic.

But there was one piece of clothing that was most majestic and beautiful.

It was a seamless tunic.

This would have been an expensive piece.

It held value and they didn’t want to tear it.

So they cast lots to see who will receive it.

John tells us that this was to fulfill scripture.

Psalm 22:18 “18 They divided my garments among themselves, and they cast lots for my clothing.”

Psalm 22, is known as a Messianic Psalm.

A Psalm written by David about the coming Messiah.

And here we see part of that Psalm fulfilled in the actions of others.

Again we see God’s hand and sovereignty over the situation.

There is no accidental happening at Jesus’ Crucifixion.

This is the first of 3 times that John outright refers to Scripture being fulfilled in the actions that took place at the cross.

While those soldiers are spending time figuring out what to do with Jesus’ clothing, the scene shifts to Jesus, his friend, and his mother.

John 19:25–27 CSB

25 Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

Jesus’ Compassion

We see here in John’s gospel the only people mentioned at Jesus’ crucifixion were John and 4 Women.

What John wants us to see here is Jesus’ compassion and care for his mother.

Jesus saw his mother and John standing there and he commissions John to take care of her.

In his pain and in his suffering.

Nearing his death, he is making sure that his mother is taken care of.

Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, had already died.

And as the oldest Male, Jesus was responsible for taking care of his Mother and Family, but he knows that his mission is bigger and greater than that.

He is about to look death in the face and over come.

And Mary is going to be left alone w/o someone to take care of her.

So, he commissions John with taking care of her.

Why didn’t he tell Mary to go and live with his other brother’s and sisters?

B/c They lived out of town and they didn’t believe Jesus.

So John, a friend and likely cousin of Jesus, would now be Mary’s protector and provider.

In Fact, the words Jesus uses, “here is your son…here is your mother” are similar to the words used in the legal adoption formula.

Jesus’ care for his own runs deep.

Even in her darkest hour, Jesus is concerned with his mother’s livelihood. He is concerned that she is going to be taken care of.

And so he chose a friend that was close than a brother to carry that mantle and care for the woman who cared for him.

Jesus knew that he was nearing his death, so he wanted to make sure that his earthly affairs were set in order.

After his mother was taken care of, Jesus was ready.

John 19:28–30 CSB

28 After this, when Jesus knew that everything was now finished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, he said, “I’m thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was sitting there; so they fixed a sponge full of sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it up to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.

Scripture Fulfilled: Sour Wine

John tells us that Jesus knew everything was now finished.

Think about that statement for just a moment.

All the plans.

All the promises.

The point of his own life had now drawn to a close.

Jesus’ mission was now complete.

Everyone else from Judas, to the High Priests, Pilate, to the soldiers at the foot of the cross were playing a role in the grand story of redemption.

They played their parts so that Jesus would end up here.

That Jesus would die so that people would be saved.

Everyone else may have been unconsciously a part of the divine plan, but Jesus was not.

He knew exactly what was going one.

And he new the Part that he was to play.

Jesus’ obedience to the Father is what brought him to this place.

He submitted to the will of the father and now is about to die on the cross.

His death is going to pave the way for redemption.

His obedience is going to shine a light on the brokenness of the World.

His sacrifice is going to save those who will believe.

And he had one more thing that he wanted to say, but his mouth was dry and he was thirsty.

Jesus had been hanging on that cross in the heat of the day and was thirsty.

His mouth was dry and he also had one last declaration he wanted to make.

So he asked for something to drink.

In the other gospel accounts, Jesus is offered a drink and refuses to drink it.

So what’s going on here?

In the other gospel accounts, we are told that the wine is mixed with myrrh.

Myrrh was known to dull the senses and alleviate pain.

Jesus wanted to feel the full weight of what he was done.

He was sacrificing himself and that’s why he refused the drink with Myrrh.

Here we are told that the drink is simply sour wine.

This would have been a cheap wine mixed with vinegar.

It was a wine used for the masses

And this wine was given to Jesus through a sponge on a hyssop branch.

This is interesting b/c the hyssop branch was used to spread the blood of the lamb on the door posts during passover.

John is really showing us how Jesus’ death and passover link together.

But what Scripture is this sour wine fulfilling.

Its a matter of debate among scholars, but there are two that come to mind.

The first dealing with Jesus’ parched mouth in

Psalm 22:15 “15 My strength is dried up like baked clay; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You put me into the dust of death.”

Psalm 69:21 “21 Instead, they gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.”

I believe that both fit just fine in this context.

Jesus is thirsty and the drink given to him is vinegar.

But Jesus wanted the wine for another reason.

He had one last thing that he wanted to say.

And he wanted people to hear him out.

I am convinced that the Loud Cry heard from Jesus in Mark 15:37 “37 Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed his last.”, are these words. “It Is Finished.”

This is only one word in Greek.

Tetelestai

What is finished?

Jesus work is done.

But he isn’t crying out in defeat.

Rather, These words on Jesus’ lips are a declaration of Victory.

The word root teleo means to carry out a task to completion.

And when paired with religious obligations it means the fulfillment of what one has set out to accomplish.

Jesus is saying that the work the Father gave him to do is done.

He lived in perfect obedience.

He revealed God’s person and character to the world.

And now in humble obedience he is giving his life to save those that will believe in him.

When Jesus says it is finished he is declaring victory.

Victory in the plan.

Victory in obedience.

Victory in unwavering and accomplishing his purpose.

John then tells us that Jesus “bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.”

Jesus was in so much control of his life that he decided when he would die.

When he would breath his final breath.

He laid down his life of his own will and on his own account.

This is super interesting b/c this phrase “he gave up” is the same word that has been used over again in the story of Jesus going to the cross.

It has been translated differently “handed over”, but if you go back and read starting in 18:30, you will see that Jesus is handed over to Pilate by the Jewish leaders.

Judas handed him over to the chief priests.

Pilate then hands him over to be crucified.

And here for the purpose of redemption.

In obedience to the Father, Jesus, in complete control, Hands his spirit over. Gives his spirit up and dies.

No one took his life from him, he handed it over.

As stated in John 10:17-18 “17 This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.””

Jesus died, but the story continues.

John 19:31–37 CSB

31 Since it was the preparation day, the Jews did not want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special day). They requested that Pilate have the men’s legs broken and that their bodies be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with him. 33 When they came to Jesus, they did not break his legs since they saw that he was already dead. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. 35 He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth. 36 For these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: Not one of his bones will be broken. 37 Also, another Scripture says: They will look at the one they pierced.

Scripture Fulfilled: Perfection

John tells us that it is the preparation day.

This is the day that the lambs would be slaughtered for the passover feast.

And here the Lamb of God’s blood will be added to the blood of the lambs in the temple.

John pictures Jesus as the perfect lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

This is proclaimed from the lips of John the Baptist in the opening chapter of John’s Gospel.

John 1:29 “29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

It was against the Jewish law to keep a person on a tree over night.

The land would be seen as defiled if the prisoners were left to die overnight.

Especially on a sabbath.

So the chief priest ask that the deaths be sped along.

The way the Romans would do this was to take a heavy mallet and break the legs of the crucified men.

This would stop them from using their legs to lift up and take a breath.

So they would suffocate more quickly leading to a quicker death.

Those that were being crucified with Jesus were still alive and their legs were broken by the Executioners.

But Jesus was already dead.

So they didn’t need to break his legs.

This was to fulfill the scriptures about the perfect lamb of God.

When God gives instructions for the passover lamb, he specifies that there can’t be any broken bones if the lamb was going to be accepted.

Ex 12:46 “46 It is to be eaten in one house. You may not take any of the meat outside the house, and you may not break any of its bones.”

Num 9:12 “12 they may not leave any of it until morning or break any of its bones. They must observe the Passover according to all its statutes.”

Those are first of 2 scriptures fulfilled here.

Jesus’ bones weren’t broken.

But John tells us something else was fulfilled here as well.

“They will look at the one they pierced.”

This comes from Zechariah 12:10 “10 “Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the house of David and the residents of Jerusalem, and they will look at me whom they pierced. They will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly for him as one weeps for a firstborn.”

This is what is fulfilled by their piercing of Jesus’ side with the spear.

Now why does John include this piercing and then make the statements that he saw it and knows it to be true?

During the time that John was writing this gospel there was a group gaining steam in the area when it came to Jesus.

But they were teaching that Jesus didn’t have an actual body and that he didn’t actually die.

Instead he was simply a spirit that appeared to have a body.

But John wants the reader to know that Jesus actually died.

He saw the blood pour out from his side.

Jesus was truly human and truly divine.

Jesus death was real. It was intense and it really happened.

and John is recounting this for a specific purpose.

So that you may believe.

That’s the entirety of John’s Gospel.

He tells us what he tells us so that we may believe.

He tells us that scripture is fulfilled so that we may believe.

Jesus is the promised one of God who came to seek and save those who would believe in him.

Jesus’ death was final, but the story isn’t over.

John 19:38–42 CSB

38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’s body. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and took his body away. 39 Nicodemus (who had previously come to him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes. 40 They took Jesus’s body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the fragrant spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41 There was a garden in the place where he was crucified. A new tomb was in the garden; no one had yet been placed in it. 42 They placed Jesus there because of the Jewish day of preparation and since the tomb was nearby.

Scripture Fulfilled: Royal Burial

We are introduced to a new character here at the closing of John’s gospel.

His name is Joseph of Arimathea.

We don’t know a lot about Joseph, but from the other gospels we know that he was wealthy, he was a part of the Sanhedrin (a group of the religious elite), he was a good and righteous person, and he was looking forward to God’s kingdom being established on earth.

John tells us that Joseph was a secret follower of Jesus.

But here we see that at Jesus’ death, Joseph become more bold.

It’s interesting to note that the secret disciple prior to the crucifixion becomes bold after, while the bold disciples become secret during the crucifixion.

Joseph asks Pilate for Jesus’ body so that he can give him a proper burial.

Usually, the crucified would be placed in a mass grave.

But Pilate knows Jesus is innocent and grants him a special order.

John also brings up Nicodemus once more.

With the note that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night.

Again another secret disciple of Jesus emboldened by his death.

We are told that Nicodemus brings 75lbs of myrrh and aloe to cover Jesus.

This was to help the stench of death.

The Jewish people didn’t embalm their dead rather they used perfume to help with the smell.

But 75lbs was a lot of perfume.

In fact, it was an amount fit for a king.

John again wants us to see that in all things.

Even in his death, Jesus is the true and reigning King.

Jesus’ burial was a fulfillment of Scripture.

Even though John doesn’t explicitly say it.

It is inherently there.

Isaiah 53:9 “9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, but he was with a rich man at his death, because he had done no violence and had not spoken deceitfully.”

Jesus died between criminals, but was buried in a rich man’s tomb.

Jesus proclaimed he was king to Pilate

Jn 18:37 “37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked. “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.””

The placard over his head on the cross declared him as king.

and Here he is buried as a king.

The kingship of Jesus should never be questioned.

In his life, in his death, and in his burial, John wanted us to know that Jesus is King.

So let me ask you is Jesus your king.

He died for you.

He suffered for you.

He took your sin and shame on his shoulders.

He wants you to bow down and worship him and find life in his service.

He’s calling out to you.

Will you answer him?