Investigating Jesus - Part 38

Investigating Jesus Part 38

Jesus the Dying King

13 See, my servant will act wisely;
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him—
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being
and his form marred beyond human likeness—
15 so he will sprinkle many nations,
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.
Isaiah 52:13-15

10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 53:10-12

The prophet Isaiah, centuries before Jesus’ birth, was speaking about the Messiah who was to come. As we have seen together, Jesus is this Messiah. As we look together briefly at John 19, correlate the two passages and see how they interlink.

Jesus condemned

Pilate gave in and permitted the flogging and mockery in the hope of shaming Jesus’ accusers (John 19:1-3) despite affirming Jesus’ innocence after the scourging (John 19:4). Jesus knew that his work of bring people back to God in a loving relationship did not rest on the actions of a mere Roman governor.

Therefore, Jesus’ refusal to answer Pilate, stung Pilate into reminding Jesus of his Roman authority (John 19:10) – an authority that could grant pardon or death. Jesus, however, corrected Pilate’s idea of authority and told him that although Pilate may have power on earth, his power did reach beyond earth (John 19:11). Pilate was more concerned with his own position than he was for justice...

Jesus crucified

• Jesus, bearing his own cross, was killed as a common criminal (John 19:17).
• Pilate was responsible for fixing the sign “The King of the Jews” (John 19:21-22).
• Jesus showed concern for his mother, even when he Himself was in agony, committing her to the Apostle John (John 19:26-27).
• The crucifixion site was outside the city walls on purpose. This was because the Law forbade execution within the walls of the city. It was also for sanitary reasons as often the rotting crucified corpse would hang on the cross for day. This also served as a vivid image to warn others of the disgrace and to act as a deterrent
• Jesus’ uttered some final words moments before his death – “I am thirsty.” (John 19:28) and “It is finished.” (John 19:30).
• The breaking of legs speeded up the process of death (John 19:32-33).
• The desire of the Jews (John 19:32) to fulfil their rituals was important because the Sabbath fell within the Passover festival.
• The piercing of Jesus’ side and the flow of blood and water proved Jesus was truly dead (John 19:34).

Jesus buried

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried Jesus. The significance of “in which no-one had ever been laid” (John 19:41) is to demonstrate that the body of Jesus at no point encountered the decay of a dead body.

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