Beyond Sunday with Pastor Nic
Join me for a more personal look into the weekend sermons, as well as some thoughts on theology, marriage, parenting, and leadership. I will also explore some of your most asked questions throughout the year.
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Beyond Sunday with Pastor Nic
Witnessing the Sovereignty in Suffering
What if the imagery of ancient texts could truly transform your understanding of sacrifice and love? Join us as we journey through John 19, where vivid scenes of Jesus's path to the cross unfold with deep, symbolic resonance. This episode promises a profound exploration of themes like suffering, redemption, and the ultimate demonstration of love. As we dissect John's unique eyewitness account, you'll gain a fresh perspective on Jesus's brutal flogging, the crown of thorns, and the charge of "King of the Jews" that echoes across time and cultures. Pilate's refusal to alter this charge speaks volumes about divine sovereignty, even in the darkest hours, and challenges us to explore where we might be choosing worldly power over spiritual surrender.
Reflecting on Jesus's sacrificial love, we delve into the powerful symbols that encapsulate the cost and victory of our redemption. From the crown of thorns to the divided garments and the piercing of his side, these images invite us to appreciate the depth of His sacrifice as the greatest love ever shown. Let the imagery of John 19 draw you closer to the Savior, encouraging you to meditate on how these ancient truths resonate in today's world. Through thoughtful contemplation, this episode aims to inspire a deeper connection with the profound love that transformed history and continues to speak into our lives.
Hey, podcasters, today we're in John chapter 19,. And John chapter 19 is more than just a chapter of historical events. It's a gallery of vivid images that depict Jesus's journey to the cross. These pictures help us see his suffering, his sacrifice and, ultimately, his love for humanity. Today we'll explore these snapshots, moments of profound significance that speak directly to the heart of our faith. So let's take a walk through this chapter, piece by piece, to see the story unfold. Now, before we do that, I want to remind you this is an eyewitness account. Why does that matter? When you look at Matthew, mark and Luke although they tell the story as well, they're getting their information from different sources, people that were actually there. John, as he tells the story, he's telling it from his vantage point, that he never left Jesus' side. He went and was a part of this and watched Jesus die. And when he tells this story, he's telling you what impacted him. In fact, a great spiritual exercise may be to read this gospel in John chapter 19 in particular. And as you're reading John chapter 19, begin to circle the imagery that the writer gives you, understanding what it looks like on what happened to Jesus on that day.
Speaker 1:The chapter opens with Jesus being flogged. It's a brutal punishment designed to humiliate and weaken the prisoner. The Roman soldiers crown him with thorns, pressing the shark points into his head. They throw a purple robe over his shoulders, mocking his claim to kingship. They strike him in the face, sneering hail, king of the Jews. This image captures the physical and emotional agony of Jesus. The King of Kings, the creator of all, allows himself to be ridiculed by his creation. The crown of thorns is particularly symbolic. It represents the curse of sin that entered the world in Genesis 3.18, where thorns and thistles become a consequence of humanity's fall. Imagine the scene for a moment the blood trickling down his face, the jeers of the crowd and the indifference of the soldiers. Jesus bore this suffering willingly, taking the punishment that you and I deserve. When you see the crown of thorns, we're reminded that Jesus took on the curse of sin for us. He turned symbols of shame into tools of redemption.
Speaker 1:Now I've had a lot of conversations around this passage since I preached it last weekend. A lot of questions, a lot of people that pointed out things that I didn't even talk about or things that stood out to them. One of the questions was wrapped around that phrase hell, king of the Jews. When Pilate does sentence Jesus and Jesus goes on the cross, pilate puts a sign on there that says king of the Jews. Of course, if you know the story, the religious leaders pushed back and said no, it shouldn't say King of the Jews, it should say that he was trying to be the King of the Jews. He was pretending to be the King but he wasn't actually the King of the Jews. But it was written in three different languages and Pilate said basically I said what I said, that's what I'm writing. I'm not changing that sign. That's who he is the king of the Jews. So somebody asked me this question this week what do you think the Gentiles, how do you think they felt when they saw that sign, especially understanding that at this stage, salvation is for all, not just the Jews. But to look at that sign and see king of the Jews, not king of eternity or king of all people, the simple answer is in that day and age, that is who he was, that is the people that followed him, that is the people that he was leading the king of the Jews, as we understand scripture, we know he was here for all people, but in that moment that is who he was.
Speaker 1:Now, the second picture I want to give you is the picture of rejection. Pilate brings Jesus before the crowd, battered and bleeding, and says here is the man. Now Pilate is torn. He finds no guilt in Jesus, but he's under pressure from the religious leaders and the mob of people standing before him. The people reject Jesus, shouting crucify him. This picture speaks to the depth of humanity's rejection of God. The same crowd that praised him as king during his triumphal entry now calls for his execution a week later. To make matters worse, they declare we have no king but Caesar, a statement dripping with irony as they reject their true king in favor of a worldly ruler. This rejection isn't limited to the crown in Jerusalem. It's honestly a reflection of our own hearts when we choose sin over submission to Christ.
Speaker 1:Consider where you might be rejecting Jesus in your life. Are there areas where you're crying out for control rather than surrendering to his authority? You're doing the same thing that crowd did that day, and I know I say that and we push back immediately. No, I would never crucify Christ. No, I would never call for that. But we're choosing the world over Christ. Over and over again in our life. They chose a worldly king over the king of kings. We choose the things of the world over the things of Jesus constantly.
Speaker 1:Now, the next picture I want to give you is the picture of sovereignty. Jesus carries his cross to Golgotha, the place of the skull. Above him, pilate places that sign that says Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. It's written in three languages Aramaic, latin and Greek, ensuring that all who pass by understand the charge against him. This was a common thing. We don't know what the signs above the other two people on the cross has said, but it would have been the charges against them. And the charge against Jesus is that he is the king of the Jews. This picture is rich in meaning. Even in his suffering, jesus's sovereignty is proclaimed, even when they're trying to snuff him out who he is written in every language that is readable. That day, pilate's refusal to alter the sign underscores God's hand in these events. Though Pilate acted out of political pragmatism, he unwittingly declares a divine truth earth, jesus is king.
Speaker 1:Now the cross, meant to be a symbol of shame, becomes a throne where Jesus reigns as the king of redemption. Now I want you to think about that for a moment. The cross was just horrible. In that day It'd be horrible today, but in that day there was no worse way to die. And I'm not just talking about the pain and agony that came with it, I'm talking about the shame that came with it. We talked about this in church on Sunday that in the Old Testament it speaks to those that are hanging on, that are under the curse, and we know that Jesus took on the curse of our sins, and so there's truth in that right. But what they meant as a symbol of shame became a throne where Jesus reigns as the king of redemption. Can you imagine them thinking that 2,000 years later, people would be hanging crosses around their neck and placing them on the wall in their house and at the church to declare righteousness and redemption, not suffering and shame? Just a moment, I think you should reflect on the sovereignty of Christ in your own life. Even in moments of suffering, our uncertainty, he remains in control.
Speaker 1:The fourth picture is the picture of division. As Jesus hangs on the cross, the soldiers divide his clothes among themselves, but his seamless garment is too valuable to tear. Instead, they cast lots for it, fulfilling the prophecy in Psalm 22, 18. And the prophecy said they divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. The scene is haunting. Hide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. The scene is haunting. While the savior of the world suffers, the soldiers are distracted by material possessions. The seamless garment, a symbol of unity, contrasts sharply with the division caused by sin. This picture calls us to examine our own distractions. How often do we focus on the trivial things while ignoring the weight of what Christ has done for us? Let this image challenge you to keep your eyes on Jesus, valuing him above the fleeting treasures of the world.
Speaker 1:Now let me pause for just a moment. All throughout John, chapter 19, we're seeing prophecy fulfilled. Some moments it's when Jesus is on the cross and says things like I'm thirsty. That was a prophecy that needed to be fulfilled, and so Jesus, remembering scripture, made sure that he fulfilled that prophecy. But there are other prophecies that Jesus fulfilled, but not because of something he did, like the one we just talked about out of Psalm 22 18, where they divide the clothes among them and cast lots for his garment. I can't imagine any of the soldiers there that day were like oh wait a minute. I remember hearing a scripture from a Jewish person one time that we're gonna have to cast lots, so let's do that real quick to make sure that this is fulfilled. That's the sovereignty of God, that's the hand of God in this situation, making sure that all prophecy that needed to be fulfilled would be fulfilled. So there would be no doubt in who Jesus is.
Speaker 1:Now let me give you the fifth picture, the picture of compassion. Amid his agony, jesus notices his mother standing nearby with the disciple John. In a tender moment he says woman, here is your son. And to John, here is your mother. This picture is one of profound compassion. Even in his darkest hour, jesus cares for the needs of those he loves. He ensures his mother is cared for, fulfilling his role as a son and demonstrating his deep concern for relationships. Jesus' compassion shows us the importance of loving and caring for others, even when we're struggling ourselves. So who in your life needs care and compassion right now? How can you extend the love of Christ to them Now?
Speaker 1:I mentioned this a moment ago, but let me give you the picture of completion. As Jesus nears the end, he says I'm thirsty fulfilling another prophecy. And then, with his final breath, he declares it is finished. This is a powerful moment. The phrase it is finished isn't a cry of defeat but a proclamation of victory. Jesus has accomplished his mission. The debt of sin is paid in full and the way to God is open. That term it is finished changes everything. The picture reminds us that salvation is complete, that there's nothing we can add to what Jesus has already done. We can add to what Jesus has already done. Today, I want to encourage you rest in the finished work of Christ. If you've been striving to earn God's favor, remember that Jesus has already done the work for you.
Speaker 1:The seventh picture I'll give you is the picture of certainty. To ensure Jesus is dead, a soldier pierces his side and blood and water flow out. John emphasizes this detail, noting that it fulfills scripture. The image underscores the reality of Jesus' death. The blood signifies atonement, the water symbolizing cleansing. Together, they point to the completeness of his sacrifice. The flow of blood and water reminds us that Jesus' death wasn't just a tragic event. It was a purposeful act of redemption. Today, trust in the certainty of his sacrifice, that his death guarantees your salvation.
Speaker 1:The eighth picture I'll give you is this, finally Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. They take Jesus' body and prepare it for burial. They anoint him with expensive spices and place him in a new tomb. This picture stands in contrast to the humiliation Jesus endured earlier In death. He is treated with the honor and reverence he deserves. Earlier In death, he is treated with the honor and reverence he deserves. These two men, once secret followers, step forward boldly to care for their Savior. The image challenges us to consider how we honor Jesus in our lives. Are you willing to step out of the shadows to serve him? Let their courage inspire you to live boldly for Christ, no matter the cost.
Speaker 1:I had another question come at me this week. It actually happened as I walked off stage following one of the services this weekend. I had a young girl, probably 10, 11, 12, somewhere around there. She was standing in line to talk to me. I was engaged with a few other people, but I saw her over to the side and so I was trying to get to her. And when I finally got to her she said Pastor, I have a question. I said yes. She said is Pilate in heaven? Which is an interesting question Because, as you read this story, pilate, over and over again, acknowledges I find this man innocent, I find no guilt with this man, in fact, at the very end, as he takes him to that place to declare his sentence, says that I'm washing my hands of this.
Speaker 1:You crucify him. He's trying to distance himself from a situation that he finds wrong. He also, remember, makes the sign that says Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews. When asked to change the sign, he says no, that is what it is, and so is Pilate in heaven. It's a question I can't answer, which is what I told the young girl, but I told her. The answer depends on if he believed in Jesus for his Savior. Did he just acknowledge who he was or did he decide to follow him? That changes everything for Pilate, but that changes everything for you and I as well. If you haven't made that decision, today is the day. God can change your eternity. He can forgive you of your sins. All you have to do is believe Now.
Speaker 1:John 19,. It invites us to see Jesus' passion through powerful imagery. Each picture tells a part of the story the crown of thorns, the divided garments, the piercing of his side, the words it is finished Together. They reveal the depth of his love and the cost of our redemption. I want to encourage you to take time this week to reflect on these images. Let them remind you of what Jesus endured for you and the victory he achieved on your behalf. John 15, 13 says greater love has no one than this to lay down one's life for our friends, and that's what Jesus has done for you. Until next time, may the picture of John 19 draw you closer to the Savior, who gave everything for you.