Year 2, Week 39, Day 3 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 39, Day 3

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of John 18-19.

Today’s reading contains the final parallel from the four Gospel accounts that record the events occurring on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion. John 18 parallels parts of Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22; while John 19 parallels Matthew 27, Mark 15, and Luke 23. John 18 begins with Judas’ betrayal: “Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them” (John 18:4-5); and concludes with Pilate providing the Jews the option of releasing Barabbas or Jesus: “After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber” (John 18:38b-40). John 19 opens with continued interaction between Pilate and Jesus: “So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin” (John 19:10-11); and finishes with the burial of Jesus: “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there” (John 19:41-42).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was Jesus’ final statement from the Cross: “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (John 19:30). This final statement was one of several recorded statements that Jesus spoke while on the Cross. John’s Gospel account records two additional statements. John records Jesus’ concern for the care of His mother and He directs John to commit to her care: “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home” (John 19: 26-27). John also records Jesus’ awareness of the need to fulfill the prophecies concerning Himself, even being crucified: “After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth” (John 19:28-29 with a reference to Psalm 69:21). 

The other Gospel writers record additional sayings by Jesus from the Cross. The Gospel accounts by Matthew and Mark added: “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46 with a reference to Psalm 22:1, see also Mark 15:34). Jesus expresses the consequences of His full obedience. This is the moment Jesus shoulders the sins of His people and recognizes the rupture of His previously unbroken communion with His Heavenly Father-agony worse than his physical suffering.

Luke records a couple more sayings by Jesus from the Cross. Luke records Jesus’ words to the dear mourning women who followed Him: “But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:28-31). Luke also records Jesus’ words reflecting His heart of forgiveness and mercy (as opposed to hatred, revenge, and bitterness) to those who put him to death: “And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Luke records Jesus’ words to the thief alongside of Him on his own cross who turned to Jesus: “And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). And finally, Luke records Jesus entrusting Himself to His Father: “Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last” (Luke 23:46).

But the statement by Jesus, “It is finished” is the greatest, sweetest, most triumphant, most comforting declaration sinners would ever hear. The righteous life has been lived. The greatest demonstration of humility and love has been accomplished. Exact obedience to every righteous requirement of the Father has been maintained. The full measure of the Father’s wrath has been poured out. The cup has been drained to the dregs. The penalty for sin has been paid. The substitute has taken the place of His people. Atonement has been made for every one of their innumerable transgressions. The stains have been made clean, the Father’s wrath propitiated, the Law’s demand fulfilled, the pains of the people taken, guilt forgiven, old made new, salvation accomplished, love demonstrated, truth upheld, mercy lavished, brokenness healed, evil unplugged, Satan defeated, the promise of life made. It is finished: “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:12-14).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe