5.6. PASSION TESTIMONY OF HIS LOVE TO THE UTTERMOST (John 19:17-42)

It is love unto the uttermost. The account centres our attention on Him bearing His cross (John 19:17 ), not to emphasise the common practice, but rather to focus on His persistent, patient love that bore as His own the cross of shame , because on it He gave Himself for us.

Titus 2:14 "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

Location of Golgotha or Calvary is not essential , but identification of the life-giving fountain opened there is necessary to salvation. Love transformed Golgotha "the place of the skull," it has become the place of life to all who believe. The means and price of our redemption can never be forgotten. It was the most ignominious and degraded form of punishing thought of by man - reserved for traitors - murderers - for non-citizens of Rome. He ever bears the mark of His passion (Revelation 5:6; Zechariah 12:10 ).

John 19:18 "where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center."

The action of putting Jesus in the central place on the cross, points to His rightful place. He should occupy the central place in our lives.

Rejection or acceptance in true repentance decides where we would spend eternity. "Two others with Him, one on either side" (John 19:18 NKJV; Luke 23:39 ) Every person is on the one side or the other. What has been written by us in our book of life's conduct cannot be changed by us, but in Christ the handwriting against us is taken away.

John 19:22 "Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. "

Colossians 2:14 "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; "

It is also true that truth is unalterable - Jesus is truly King (John 19:19-22 ). Authorities and those who serve them can, in seemingly insignificant acts, actually fulfill prophecy (John 19:23,24 ).

John 19:24 "... that the scripture might be fulfilled, ..."

John 19:26,27 "When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" ²⁷ Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" ..."

Amidst the agonies of Calvary Jesus comforted Mary by singling out John to care for her. He had loving confidence in John who lived up to His expectations and trust (John 19:27 ).

There is a supreme completeness about the accomplishment of Christ's work on the cross. He fulfilled all prophecy, even the minutest detail (John 19:28-29 ). "It is finished" (John 19:30 KJV). Through His sufferings the consummation of perfect salvation, He carried out to the finest detail the Father's will. His finished, voluntary sacrifice makes Him "the Mediator of the new covenant" (Hebrews 9:15 ).

From the side of the first Adam was taken the rib to create Eve. From the side of the second Adam issued the blood and water that created Christ's bride, the church. John as eyewitness, testifies of prophecy being fulfilled (John 19:31-37 ).

John 19:34 "But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out."

Do not underestimate the power of Christ crucified upon the most timid. Joseph of Arimathea is bringing out into the open, identification with Christ in His death (John 19:38 ). Nicodemus visibly exposed himself to the reproach of Christ - now disinterested in the opinions of worldly men (John 19:39 ). Sharing in Christ's burial is essential to rising in newness of life. Joseph and Nicodemus together laid Jesus in a new tomb from which He was to come forth in newness of life (John 19:40-42 ).

Romans 6:3 "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?"

Romans 6:11 "Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

---

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. How do you keep fresh before you the means of your redemption? (John 19:18 ).
2. In view of the cry of Jesus, "It is finished", is there any other work to be accomplished for your salvation? (John 19:30; Hebrews 9:15 ).