John Bible Study - Lesson 49

John Bible Study - Lesson 49

Read the passage below using the 2 different Bible translations:

John 19:17-37 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). ¹⁸ There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

¹⁹ Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: jesus of nazareth, the king of the jews. ²⁰ Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. ²¹ The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.”

²² Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

²³ When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

²⁴ “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.”

This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said,

“They divided my clothes among them
    and cast lots for my garment.”^[a]

So this is what the soldiers did.

²⁵ Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman,^[b] here is your son,” ²⁷ and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

The Death of Jesus

²⁸ Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

³¹ Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. ³² The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. ³³ But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴ Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. ³⁵ The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. ³⁶ These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,”^[c]37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”^[d]

John 19:17-37 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). ¹⁸ There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. ¹⁹ And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth,^[a] the King of the Jews.” ²⁰ The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.

²¹ Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’”

²² Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.”

²³ When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. ²⁴ So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice^[b] for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.”^[c] So that is what they did.

²⁵ Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” ²⁷ And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.

The Death of Jesus

²⁸ Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.”^[d] 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. ³⁰ When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

³¹ It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was Passover week). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. ³² So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. ³³ But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. ³⁴ One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. ³⁵ (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe.^[e]) ³⁶ These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,”^[f] 37 and “They will look on the one they pierced.”^[g]

Note:

Here are the 3 questions for you to answer. I have given some basic answers below the questions to help you understand the passage. Answer the questions first yourself before you look at my answers. Take a moment before you begin and ask God to help you understand what you are reading.

3 questions to answer:

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

3.    Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Answers to the questions above and some background:

Content: What is this passage about?

·        Jesus was forced to carry His own cross to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha)

·        Jesus was nailed to the cross and crucified along with 2 others.

·        Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the     

               King of the Jews.”  And refused to change it at the request of the

               leading priests who wanted it to say,  “but that this man claimed to be

               king of the Jews”

·        The soldiers who crucified Jesus, took his clothes, dividing them into

               four shares, one for each of them fulfilling the prophecy that said   

               “They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.”

·        Jesus tells His disciple John to care for His mother Mary.

·        Jesus tells the soldiers He is thirsty and they give Him a sponge soaked in wine vinegar.

·        After tasting the wine Jesus said “it is finished” and gave up His Spirit. 

·        The Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, so they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.

·        When they got to Jesus He was already dead so they did not break His legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.

·        These things happened fulfilling the Scriptures that said, “Not one of his bones will be broken, and “They will look on the one they pierced.”

Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·        Jesus was forced carried His own cross.  The other Gospels give us more info telling us that Jesus was not able to carry the cross all the way to Golgotha (The Place of the Skull), so the Roman soldiers seized Simon from Cyrene and made him carry the cross the rest of the way:

Luke 23:26 New International Version (NIV)

The Crucifixion of Jesus

As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

·        In a symbolic way Jesus tells His followers to carry their own cross as well:

Luke 9:23 New International Version (NIV)

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

This command from Jesus can also be found in: (Matt 16:24) (Mark 8:34)

So what does Jesus symbolically want His followers to do:

·        Die to self interest

·        Walk by the Spirit not by the flesh

·        Live God-centered vs self-centered

·        Be Christ-like in all they do

The concept of “dying to self” is found throughout the New Testament. It expresses the true essence of the Christian life, in which we take up our cross and follow Christ. Dying to self is part of being born again; the old self dies and the new self comes to life (John 3:3–7).

John 3:3-7 New International Version (NIV)

³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

⁴ “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’

Not only are Christians born again when they come to salvation, but they also continue dying to self as part of the process of sanctification. As such, dying to self is both a one-time event and a lifelong process. 

Jesus spoke repeatedly to His disciples about taking up their cross (an instrument of death) and following Him. He made it clear that if any would follow Him, they must deny themselves, which means giving up their lives—spiritually, symbolically, and even physically, if necessary. This was a prerequisite for being a follower of Christ, who proclaimed that trying to save our earthly lives would result in our losing our lives in the kingdom. But those who would give up their lives for His sake would find eternal life

Matthew 16:24-25 New International Version (NIV)

²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

Mark 8:34-35 New International Version (NIV)

The Way of the Cross

³⁴ Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.

Indeed, Jesus even went so far as to say that those who are unwilling to sacrifice their lives for Him cannot be His disciples. (From Gotquestions.org)

Luke 14:27 New International Version (NIV)

And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

·        Since Simon was forced to carry the cross for Jesus it made me think about how we can help others with those things that burden and weigh heavy on them. A true follower of Jesus will be transformed, having a new heart, love and desire to help others.  God’s kingdom is real community and those who are truly led by the Holy Spirit live out loving their neighbor.

Jesus was crucified along with 2 others: (Luke describes who they were)

Luke 23:32-33 New International Version (NIV)

³² Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. ³³ When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.

Luke 23:39-43 New International Version (NIV)

³⁹ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.^[a]”

⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

After reading these passages from Luke’s point of view I come away with these truths:

·        Even criminals can be saved, which means no matter what anyone has done, Jesus will forgive those who confess their sin and embrace Him as Lord and Savior.

·        It is possible for those to be saved during those last moments before their death.

·        Jesus, who was suffering on the cross was not thinking about Himself, but instead was concerned about all the people separated from God.

Jesus shows His compassion for the lost:

Luke 23:34 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

This is a good lesson for all of us about forgiveness, compassion and grace.

Even while Jesus was being insulted and mocked while on the cross, He called out to God to forgive those who hated Him.

We should consider a person’s spiritual condition before we judge their behavior. We need to remember that those who walk in darkness have no true north; they don’t realize the extent by which they are living in opposition to God; they can easily stumble and fall; in light of eternity they don’t know what they are doing. Here the scriptures reveal the truth about darkness and light:

Proverbs 4:19 New International Version (NIV)

But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

1 John 1:5-6 New International Version (NIV)

Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.

John 11:9-10 New International Version (NIV)

⁹ Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light.¹⁰ It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

John 8:12New International Version (NIV)

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

We should remember to be Christ-like in the world but not be consumed by becoming of the world. Here we see that Jesus prays for His followers for protection as they live out the truth and serve God in a broken and sinful world:

John 17:13-18 New International Version (NIV)

¹³ “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. ¹⁴ I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. ¹⁵ My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

Believers are sent into the world to share the gospel and not to walk in darkness as they did before they encountered Jesus and embraced Him as their Lord and Savior.  The Cross in many ways symbolizes the death of the old self. Through Jesus’ death believers have a new everlasting life. They are transformed from the inside out and live to please God and fulfill His purpose. The new self has become Christ-like and continues to grow and mature in faith even during trials:

Ephesians 4:21-24 New Living Translation (NLT)

²¹ Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, ²² throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³ Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. ²⁴ Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

James 1:2-4 New International Version (NIV)

Trials and Temptations

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

·        Jesus calls on His disciple John to care for His mother Mary. Again Jesus was thinking about others even in the midst of His suffering. We can definitely learn from Jesus’ example.  God has future joy for His people who do not try to escape suffering but, instead, seek to fulfill God’s purpose in it.

Events foretold about the Messiah’s death in scripture match up with what Jesus went through:

·        The Messiah would be crucified with criminals:  Isaiah 53:12

·        The Messiah would be given vinegar to drink: Psalm 69:21

·        The Messiah’s hands and feet would be pierced: Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10

·        The Messiah would be mocked and ridiculed: Psalm 22:7-8

·        The soldiers would gamble (Throw lots) for the Messiah’s garments: Psalm 22:18

·        The Messiah’s bone would not be broken:  Exodus 12:46; Psalm 34:20

·        The Messiah would be forsaken by God: Psalm 22:1

·        The Messiah would pray for His enemies: Psalm 109:4

·        The soldiers would pierce the Messiah’s side:  Zechariah 12:10

·        The Messiah would be buried with the rich (a rich man’s tomb): Isaiah 53:9

·        The Messiah would be resurrected from the dead: Psalm 16:10; Psalm 49:15

The thing to remember is Jesus knew what His purpose was and was willing to suffer and die for the sake and salvation of God’s people. Jesus had the power to walk away but He didn’t. Satan even tried to tempt Jesus at the beginning of His ministry but Jesus chose to walk the path He was given by God. The Bible reminds us  that Jesus, God’s Word and the Holy Spirit will equip and sustain us:

God’s Word:

Matthew 4:4 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Jesus Himself:

Matthew 11:28-30 New International Version (NIV)

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

John 14:23 New International Version (NIV)

²³ Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

The Holy Spirit:

John 14:15-16 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—

John 14:25-26 New International Version (NIV)

²⁵ “All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

It is time for self-evaluation:  

·        What is sustaining you as you live for God?

·        Are you living for yourself? 

·        Do you think about the needs and interests of others?

·        Do you believe Jesus when He says that He is the way and the truth and the life and the only way to God?

·        Jesus said: “It is finished” (Jesus fulfilled God’s plan)

·        The other Gospels gives us more details about Jesus’ death:

Matthew 27:45-54 New International Version (NIV)

The Death of Jesus

⁴⁵ From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. ⁴⁶ About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,^[a] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).^[b]

⁴⁷ When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

⁴⁸ Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. ⁴⁹ The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

⁵⁰ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

⁵¹ At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split ⁵² and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ⁵³ They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and^[c] went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

⁵⁴ When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Mark 15:33-38 New International Version (NIV)

The Death of Jesus

³³ At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. ³⁴ And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).^[a]

³⁵ When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

³⁶ Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

³⁷ With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

³⁸ The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Luke 23:44-49 New International Version (NIV)

The Death of Jesus

⁴⁴ It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, ⁴⁵ for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶ Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”^[a] When he had said this, he breathed his last.

⁴⁷ The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” ⁴⁸ When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. ⁴⁹ But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

What can we gather from the Gospels about Jesus’ death:

·        Jesus died around noon

·        Before Jesus died He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This tells us that Jesus was experiencing the full weight of everyone’s sin and a separation from God.

The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). Death includes two dimensions—physical and spiritual. Physical death is the separation of the spirit from the body. Spiritual death is the separation of the spirit from God. Since Jesus was dying for our sin as our substitute, He was experiencing the agony of separation from His Father. It was the agony of hell. (From Billy Graham Ministries)

·        Jesus took once last drink before His death

·        There was an earthquake and a resurrection of some dead people at the moment of Jesus’ death. The resurrection of these people gives us evidence that death was not final for God’s people. It foreshadowed a time when all the faithful will be raised to life.

·        The curtain of the temple was torn in two which is symbolic of the barrier between God and sinful people being torn down.  (From BSF and Gotquestions.org)

Matthew’s Gospel tells us that at the moment of Jesus’ death the temple curtain was torn. The tearing of this curtain- 60 feet long, 20 feet high, as thick as a man’s hand and so heavy it took 300 priests to manipulate it – could be the work only of God Himself.

During the lifetime of Jesus, the holy temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish religious life. The temple was the place where animal sacrifices were carried out and worship according to the Law of Moses was followed faithfully. Hebrews 9:1-9 tells us that in the temple a veil separated the Holy of Holies—the earthly dwelling place of God’s presence—from the rest of the temple where men dwelt. This signified that man was separated from God by sin (Isaiah 59:1-2). Only the high priest was permitted to pass beyond this veil once each year (Exodus 30:10; Hebrews 9:7) to enter into God's presence for all of Israel and make atonement for their sins (Leviticus 16).

In a sense, the veil was symbolic of Christ Himself as the only way to the Father (John 14:6). This is indicated by the fact that the high priest had to enter the Holy of Holies through the veil. Now Christ is our superior High Priest, and as believers in His finished work, we partake of His better priesthood. We can now enter the Holy of Holies through Him. Hebrews 10:19-20 says that the faithful enter into the sanctuary by the “blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he opened for us through the veil, that is, through his flesh.” Here we see the image of Jesus’ flesh being torn for us just as He was tearing the veil for us.

The veil being torn from top to bottom is a fact of history. The profound significance of this event is explained in glorious detail in Hebrews. The things of the temple were shadows of things to come, and they all ultimately point us to Jesus Christ. He was the veil to the Holy of Holies, and through His death the faithful now have free access to God.

The veil in the temple was a constant reminder that sin renders humanity unfit for the presence of God. The fact that the sin offering was offered annually and countless other sacrifices repeated daily showed graphically that sin could not truly be atoned for or erased by mere animal sacrifices. Jesus Christ, through His death, has removed the barriers between God and man, and now we may approach Him with confidence and boldness (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Important facts we need to take to heart:

1.     The torn curtain signified the end of God’s former way of Jewish sacrifices and ceremonies.

2.     The torn curtain signified Christ’s torn flesh on the cross.

3.     The torn curtain establishes Jesus as the way the truth and the life and the only way to the Father (John 14:6)

Final note:

Let us all embrace what Jesus did and be grateful for His sacrifice.

Remember this:

John 15:13 New Living Translation (NLT)

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Romans 5:8 New International Version (NIV)

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        Embrace the lengths Jesus went to rescue you.

·        Try to grasp the love God has for His people.

·        Live with an eternal perspective.

·        Take up your cross every day.

·        Die to self-interest.

·        Live for the Glory of God.

Don’t forget:

John’s main purpose in writing this Gospel:

·        To tell the world that Jesus is the Messiah for the Jews and Gentiles

·        The events were recorded so that we might believe and have eternal life

John 20:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions to ponder:

·        Are you taking up your cross and following Jesus?

·        Who do you know that is still walking in darkness?

·        Are you praying for the lost?

·        Do you believe Jesus when He said, “it is finished”?

·        Do you try to earn God’s favor or even bargain for your own salvation?

·        Do you believe you have to be “good” enough to be saved?

·        Do you believe Jesus when He said that He is the only way to the Father?

Have a great week…………….Dave