John 19:28-30

 “It is finished.” These are some of the most powerful words of Jesus on the Cross. These are the last words He spoke before He died. What was finished? We are not sure, and it could be any of several things that were finished by Jesus at this point. His work was finished. The payment of sin was finished. What is clear is that Christ did finish the work of salvation. Salvation is all in Christ and there is nothing we can add to it or have to do to make it so. It is finished.

John 19:25-27

There are a lot of misunderstandings concerning the mother of Jesus. There are some who want to make her the fourth person of the Trinity. There are others who would make her another way to go between God and man. Here we see clearly that she was neither of these. She was a blessed woman to be the mother of our Lord. However, as Jesus is dying He makes provisions for His mother to be cared for by one of the disciples. “She needed the care and protection of another, thus she could not be divine or a mediator between God and man.”, says JC Ryle.

John 19:23-24

To give us even more proof, we see the Scriptures of the Old Testament being fulfilled in the account of Jesus’ passion and crucifixion. Here John points out one of these fulfillments from Psalm 22:18. The tunic was one piece and woven. The soldiers cast lots for it because they would have destroyed it trying to cut it into four parts. The Old Testament is full of prophesies fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Read Isaiah 53-55 and see who the Christ was suppose to be when He came. If you read it, you will see that it is speaking of the person and work of Jesus Christ.

John 19:20-22

The Jews are embarrassed by the sign which was written in all the major languages. It declared Jesus to be the King of the Jews. Maybe Pilate wanted to report back to Rome or have reports get back to Rome that he had crucified the so-called King of the Jews. This would have made Caesar happy with him. It could also be that he did it to annoy the Jews. Either way, it continues to honor Christ who is the King of kings and Lord of lords. All men serve the Lord and His purposes, no matter what there motivation is.

John 19:17-19

Jesus is forced to carry His own cross and is taken to the place of the Skull called Golgotha. He is crucified between two others, one on either side. Even in this place of misery and death God still acknowledges Him as King. Pilate puts above him a sign that reads, “King of the Jews”. There is an old hymn that says, “O that my God would die for me!” Jesus came and died for you even though He was a king. By His death and resurrection He set us free. We are now able to know and live for God through Christ’s work for us.

John 19:12-16

The Jews put Pilate in a position where he cannot do anything more. They cry out that Jesus declares Himself a king. They cry out that He is opposed to Caesar. Pilate brings Jesus forth again and says, “This is your king.” The chief priests answered that they had no king but Caesar! So Jesus is lead to be crucified. Here we see the great sin of the Jewish leaders. Their real king is before them and they choose the king of Rome who they hate over the real King, Jesus.

John 19:5-11

Pilate tells the Jews to go and crucify Jesus themselves. He reiterates that he finds no guilt in the man. The Jews go further and say that He has made himself into the Son of God. Pilate asks him who He is. Jesus has numerous chances to declare who He is and have Pilate release him, yet it is His plan to go to the cross. This passage shows that the cross could have been avoided. Christ  was not truly captured and killed against His will. In fact, it was His will to go to the cross for His people.