Sunday School Lesson
April 11 2004
JESUS' CRUCIFIXION
Bible Background—JOHN 19:16b-42
Focal Verses—JOHN 19:16b-24, 26-30
Devotional Reading—JOHN 10:11-18
LESSON AIM
1. We will be able to learn that sometimes victory comes through death
2. We will be able to understand that JESUS paid the high price for our sins
3. We will be able to commit ourselves to live to please HIM.
KEEP IN MIND
“And they took JESUS, and led HIM away. And HE bearing HIS cross went forth into the place called the place of the skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified HIM, and two other with HIM, on either side one, and JESUS in the midst” (John 19:16b-18).
Although beaten savagely, JESUS was forced to carry HIS cross to Golgotha, the place of crucifixion. While HE hung from the cross, HE gave John the responsibility of caring for HIS mother. In John’s Gospel, the last words of JESUS were, “It is finished.”
By way of background, as 100% GOD and 100% man, JESUS was a threat to the established religious leaders and order of HIS day. HE was a stumbling block for them because they would not believe that HE was GOD’S SON. HE preached that HE was the only way to the FATHER (GOD). This was the final insult for them.
John chapter 18 describes the events preceding those spoken of in the Scripture passage for this lesson. Judas had betrayed JESUS, and Peter had denied HIM. JESUS had been arrested and tried, and the people had requested that Barabbas (a robber) be set free instead of JESUS. JESUS was whipped, a crown of sharp thorns placed on HIS head, and a royal purple robe put on HIS body. HE had been hailed as a king of the Jews in mockery and hit with their fists. The leading priests and Temple guards shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” However, Pilate found HIM not guilty. Yet the people wanted JESUS to die, and Pilate gave HIM over to HIS enemies (John 19:1-15).
John the apostle, son of Zebedee, brother of James, called a “son of Thunder,” wrote the Gospel of John probably around A. D. 85-90. It is written after the destruction of Jerusalem in A. D. 70 and before John’s exile to the Island of Patmos. He wrote to prove that JESUS was indeed the SON of GOD and that whosoever believed on HIM would have eternal life (John 20:31). John wrote not only to new Christians, but also to searching non-Christians.
Even though JESUS healed the lame (John 5:1-13), fed five thousand (6:1-21), forgave an adulterous woman (8:1-11), healed a man born blind (9:1-12), and raised Lazarus from the dead (11:38-44), the religious leaders still plotted to kill HIM, and in today’s lesson, they did just that.
1. JESUS IS LED AWAY TO BE CRUCIFIED (John 19:16-17)
The Jewish leaders were desperate to get rid of JESUS. HE had caused too much of a stir among the people. Even though they hated Caesar and the Romans (their slave masters), they would accept Caesar as their king instead of JESUS. In fact, they faked allegiance to Caesar to reject the MESSIAH, JESUS CHRIST.
GOD was to be their only true KING and LORD, but they were willing to abandon all loyalty to GOD to get rid of the “pest,” JESUS. Ironically, they claimed allegiance to Caesar in order to kill the true MESSIAH, JESUS. So JESUS was led away to be crucified on Golgotha’s hill where many skulls were found.
The Greek word for “they took” is parelabon and implies that the soldiers took hold of JESUS. The Greek word for “bearing” is bastazon and refers to JESUS bearing HIS own cross. According to the custom, a condemned criminal carried his own cross to the site of execution. In this case, the site was called “the place of the skull,” which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. The name was probably given to the place because of its association with death.
2. JESUS IS PLACED ON THE CROSS (v.18-24)
The cross is emblematic of a death suffered under the greatest guilt and the deepest curse. It was the well-known instrument of the most cruel and ignominious punishment. The cross is often called “the tree” (Acts 5:30; 10:39; 1 Peter 2:24). This connects it with the Old Testament concept of the deepest humiliation and shame (Hebrews 12:2). The hanging of a body on a tree was regarded as a particular mark of accursedness (Deuteronomy 21:23). Galatians 3:13 records that “CHRIST hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written: Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”
The one condemned to crucifixion was first scourged (whipped) with a flagrum (a whip with several leather thongs, the end of which were tipped with lead balls or sheep bones). Then the near naked victim was forced to carry the heavy patibulum, or crossbar of his cross, to the place of his death. The intensity of CHRIST’S sufferings even before HIS actual crucifixion is revealed in that after a night of torture and then HIS scourging, HE was too weak to carry HIS own cross. It was therefore placed on Simon of Cyrene (Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26).
When describing what JESUS suffered, The Wycliffe Bible Dictionary says, “At Golgotha the soldiers would have flung JESUS to the ground and stretched HIS arms upon the crossbar for size. The executioner would take a square spike about a third of an inch thick at its head and drive it with a single blow between the carpal or wrist bone at the palm. Usually it tore through the median nerve.” Wycliffe further states, “As the hours wore on, the body became soaked with perspiration, thirst became intense, and pain and shock were tremendous. Breaking the legs meant that the victim could no longer lift himself on the nail in order to breathe, and he soon died” (John 19:32).
So they crucified JESUS and two others with HIM, one on each side (John 19:18).
When Pilate posted the sign over JESUS’ head, “JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS” (V19), it was supposed to be ironical. Here was a King stripped naked and executed in public view. To JESUS’ enemies, it seemed HE had lost HIS KINGDOM forever. Little did they know that JESUS’ KINGDOM was just coming to fruition. HIS DEATH and RESURRECTION struck a blow to Satan. JESUS won the final battle over evil and death. JESUS now becomes KING of all who believe on HIM as LORD and SAVIOR (v.19).
The sign over JESUS’ head was written in three different languages: Hebrew for the native Jews, Latin for the Romans who ruled over the Jews, and Greek for foreigners and Jews visiting from other lands (v.20). The leading priests wanted Pilate to change the sign to “He said I AM KING OF THE JEWS” to show why they were killing HIM in the first place. JESUS proclaimed HIMSELF to be GOD’S SON; and because of their unbelief, HE was their stumbling block (v.21). However, Pilate would not comply (v.22). He wanted to be done with JESUS and all that trouble.
It was customary for Roman soldiers in charge of crucifixion to take for themselves the clothes of those who were condemned. They divided JESUS’ clothing in keeping with this practice, and they threw dice to determine who would get HIS valuable seamless garment. Their actions fulfilled the prophecy in Psalm 22.18.
3. JESUS SEES HIS MOTHER (vv.26-27)
JESUS’ mother was standing by the cross with two other Marys: the wife of Cleophas and Mary Magdalene. When JESUS saw HIS mother, HE was concerned. HE instructed John, HIS close friend and faithful disciple, to take care of HIS mother. JESUS was the oldest son, so HE entrusted HIS mother to such a friend. John had stayed with HIM at the cross when the other disciples had deserted HIM. Therefore, JESUS did not neglect his responsibility to HIS family. HE showed HIS LOVE even at the point of death.
The Greek word for “behold” is idou. JESUS’ statement could also be read, “Mother, there is your son.”
In Greek, the word translated as “disciple” is mathete. In conjunction with verse 26, in verse 27 JESUS is saying to the disciple, “There is your mother.” JESUS wished to leave HIS earthly mother with someone who could and would care for and protect her. Thus, Mary was supported by John for the rest of her life.
4. JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS (vv.28-30)
With HIS DEATH, JESUS’ work in the flesh was now done. HE had obeyed HIS FATHER, GOD, and followed GOD’S ORDERS. GOD sent HIS ONE and ONLY SON, JESUS to take the sins of humanity upon HIMSELF and die on the cross for their pardon. JESUS fulfilled GOD’S EDICTS to the letter (v.28).
The sour wine (v.29) was really a cheap wine that the Roman soldiers drank while waiting for those they crucified to die. They put some on JESUS’ lips. JESUS received it and then died.
Indeed, it was finished. HE died as atonement for the sins of all people. HE was without sin, yet HE was willing to die and pay the penalty for our sin. HE was the final and ultimate sacrifice…the LAMB without blemish. Animals no longer had to be sacrificed for believers. Our sin debt has been paid in full. When we accept JESUS as SAVIOR, there is no longer a wall of separation between believers and GOD. Now, all of GOD’S CHILDREN can freely approach GOD because of what JESUS did on the cross. JESUS is the mediator of our new covenant with GOD (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6).
Pray for all leaders of our churches, that they will stand on GOD’S WORD at all times. Also, pray that those who have been the victims of unfair treatment or molested will be healed by GOD HIMSELF. GOD can heal bad memories. Then, pray for all leaders who have rule over us.
THINK ABOUT IT!!!!
Spiritually Yours,
Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD