[:en]SCRIPTURE: JOHN 19
“Jesus said to his mother: “Dear woman, here is your son”, and to the disciple, “Here is your mother” (John 19:26-27)
“I am thirsty” (John 19:28)
“It is finished” (John 19:30)
JESUS SENTENCED TO BE CRUCIFIED (vs. 1-16)
Jesus was flogged, struck and mocked. A crown of thorns was being put on His head. The Jews insisted to crucify Jesus. They threatened Pilate: “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a King opposes Caesar” (v. 12). Pilate submitted to the pressure of the crowd and turned over Jesus to have Him crucified.
THE CRUCIFIXION (vs. 17-27)
Simon was drafted to carry the cross for Jesus (Mark 15:21). They went to the place of Skull (Golgotha in Aramaic). A sign “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” was fastened to the cross. The soldiers divided His clothes through lots which fulfilled the prophesy in Psalm 22:18: “They divided my garment among them and cast lots for my clothing”. Near the cross were Mary, his mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, Mary Magdalene and John. Jesus entrusted His mother to John’s care.
THE DEATH OF JESUS (vs. 28-37)
The last two sentences of Jesus were: “I am thirsty” and “It is finished”. Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
THE BURIAL OF JESUS (vs. 38-42)
Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. He was accompanied by Nicodemus who brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes to put on Jesus’ body. They took His body wrapped it with spices in strings of linen and placed it in a new tomb.
LESSON:
- Be courageous to stand for what is right and just. Do not be a Pilate who knew what is right but succumbed to pressure because he wanted to preserve his position.
- Be available when someone needs your help. Be like Simon, who was willing to carry the cross of Jesus to Golgotha.
- Follow Jesus to the end. Be like the Mary’s who were near Jesus on the cross.
- Be responsible for the task assigned to you. Be like John, who was entrusted with the care of Jesus’ mother, Mary.
- Be prepared. Be like Joseph of Arimathea, who took Jesus to a new tomb he prepared in the garden.
- Be loyal to the Lord till the end. Be like Nicodemus, who brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes to wrap it on Jesus’ body.
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