July 10 - John 19:16-37 - "The King"

MPC 10th July 2022.

Doug Wannenburgh

FAMOUS LAST WORDS

When famous people die sometimes the last words they say get written down and remembered. They become famous last words.

One of my favourites is the last words of the us General John Sedgwick. 150 years ago, in 1864, he was fighting in the American Civil War. He was staying out of sight with other soldiers in a trench. He wanted to take a look at the enemy. The soldiers told him not to stick his head out. But he replied, and these are his last words; 'Nonsense, they could not hit an elephant at this distance.'

They couldn't hit an elephant, but they did hit a general.

Famous last words.

Now, you can't get more famous than Jesus.

And when Jesus died He spoke famous last words. They are there in verse 30.

Verse 30 "Jesus said, 'it is finished'."

Three words. It is finished. The last words of General Sedgewick are ironic, interesting, and humorous. Though these 3 words of Jesus are, if rightly understood and responded to, life-changing forever and ever.

Now, our Bible story today teaches three lessons.

1. Jesus DIED ON A CROSS

Every year, on Good Friday, all around the world, Christians celebrate that Jesus died. On a cross.

And that's lesson one. Jesus was crucified. He died on a cross. Let me read from verse 16.

Verse 16-20 "Pilate [the governor] handed [Jesus] over to be crucified. "[Jesus carries] his own cross [At] the place of the Skull [or] Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him 19 Pilate had a notice fastened to the cross. [And we're told] 20 the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city "

Jesus died in a very public way. Lots of people watched Him die.

And Jesus died in a horrible way. Before He was crucified the soldiers flogged or whipped Him! They would have hit Him with a leather thong fitted with pieces of bone or metal. They stuck thorns on his head. They mocked and teased Him. They slapped Him in the face.

They made him to carry His own cross. They stripped Him. And hammered nails into His hands.

It's indisputable. No serious historian doubts it. 2000 years ago in Jerusalem a Jewish man called Jesus died on a cross.

2. Jesus DIED AS A KING

And, second lesson, Jesus died as king.

The soldiers dressed Jesus up as a king, with a crown of thorns and a purple robe. They were teasing Him. Mocking Him.

But He actually was King.

A King is someone who rules or reigns over people. So, who is Jesus king over? Who are the people He rules?

In our story today, Jesus rules over three groups.

A. King of the Jews

First, Jesus is king of the Jews.

Pilate wrote something down on a sign that'd go above Jesus' head on the cross. Like a name tag or a title. But it didn't say 'Mr. Jesus'.

What did it read? Verse 19.

Verse 19 "Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews."

The Jews were the people of Israel. The nation God chose, a long time before Jesus, to belong to Him.

The King of the Jews was a title to describe the Messiah. A King sent by God to rescue and rule. To rescue Israel. And rule over them with love and kindness.

Some of the Jewish leaders, called chief priests, didn't like what Pilate wrote and complained. Anyone who rejects a king or seeks to take the place of a king is guilty of treason. These Jewish leaders complained that Jesus is guilty of treason 'cos they said he wanted to be king instead of Caesar, who was King of the land. But Pilate said, 'No. I won't change it.'

Jesus is King of the Jews.

Ironically, or surprisingly. It was these Jews who were actually guilty of treason. 'Cos they rejected Jesus who was their true King.

B. King of Everyone

Jesus was King of the Jews. Yet He was also, secondly, King of everyone. King of the whole world.

Take a look at verse 20 again.

Pilate's sign written in in three languages. Aramiac, which the Jews spoke. And then Latin and Greek. Three different languages spoken by different people from different places.

The point is that the King of the Jews is the King of everyone.

C. King of a New Family

And then, thirdly, Jesus is King of a new family. King of his new family.

In John's story we see how the Jews reject Jesus. And how the world rejects Jesus. But then we also see how Jesus starts a new group. He chose 12 Jewish guys and then started calling, not only Jews to follow Him, but also those who weren't Jews. Jesus started gathering Jews and non-Jews, people from all different groups and languages and nations. All gathered into God's new true family, People who believed Jesus was King And followed Him as King.

And there's a glimpse of this as Jesus hangs on the cross.

In verse 25 we learn that;

Verse 25 "near the cross of Jesus stood [Jesus'] mother Mary, [her sister], [another] Mary wife of Clopas, and [another Mary,] Mary Magdalene."

Four women, three Marys. And one guy. John. Verse 26.

Verse 26 "Jesus saw the disciple whom He loved standing near by "

We're told they are standing near the cross. And Jesus highlights that they're all now family. Jesus tells His mum, 'Now John's your son!' He tells John, 'My mum, she's now your mum.' 'You're family.' In fact, you're God's family.

D. Summary

So Jesus is king. Of the Jews. Of everyone. And He is personally the king of a new family who stand with Him.

3. Jesus DIED BECAUSE OF GOD'S PLAN

So lesson one. Jesus died on a cross. Lesson two. Jesus died as king. And lesson three. Jesus died because of, why?

Well, did Jesus die because Jewish leaders trump up charges against Him? Did He die because the crowd cry out, 'Crucify Him'? Did He die because Pilate is weak, gives in and condemns Him? Did He die because soldiers nail Him to a cross?

Well, yes yes yes yes, and no.

Human hands may have driven in the nails. But behind all this God was in control. Lesson three. Jesus died because it was God's plan, from the very beginning, before the world was even made.

God made promises to Abraham and Israel that He would send a Messiah or King to rescue His people. God made lots of promises over a long time. He gave His word.

And here, when Jesus is dying, those words come true. They are fulfilled. Each promise is kept.

A. Promises Kept

In verse 23;

Verse 23-24a "the soldiers took [Jesus'] clothes, dividing them into four, with the undergarment remaining. 24 they said 'Let's decide by lot [by throwing dice] who [gets] it.'"

Why did this happen? 'Cos this is what God promised would happen. Verse 24.

Verse 24b "This happened that scripture might be fulfilled "

Later on, verse 28.

Verse 28 "Jesus said, 'I am thirsty.'"

Why does He say that? 'Cos God promised that'd happen. Verse 28.

Verse 28 "so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said 'I am thirsty.'"

And later when the soldiers take Jesus' body down from the cross. They don't break his legs.

Why not? 'Cos God promised. Verse 36.

Verse 36 "These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: 'Not one of his bones will be broken,' "

Jesus' death was not an accident. It was not a bad turn of events.

God was in control.

Jesus' death was all arranged in detail before the world was made. This is the moment history had been heading towards. Jesus isn't hanging on the cross despite being King. He hangs on the cross because He is king. It is God's plan. Promised and fulfilled.

B. Job Done

Which means it is Mission accomplished. job done.

In verse 30;

Verse 30a "When He had received the drink, Jesus said, 'it is finished.'"

finished. Not in the sense, 'I'm tired. I can't go on.' But in the sense that 'it - God's plan - is finished. Completed. Accomplished.'

It was used by athletes when they won a race. This is a victory cry. Job done.

Jesus came with a plan. He came on a mission. No one took His life away. He laid it down.

Verse 30b "he [verse 30] bowed his head and [he] gave up His spirit."

The job done was the job to rescue people from sin. To forgive and gather a new family. A job done by dying for sin. As a punishment and penalty for our sin.

So Jesus could say, 'It is finished.' Famous last words. But they're actually not His last words. 'Cos Jesus rose again. He conquered death. He's alive. And He continues to speak. To us. By His Spirit through His Word, the Bible.

4. THAT YOU ALSO MAY BELIEVE

Well, let's wrap up. Three lessons.

In chapter 19 John tells the story that Jesus died on a cross. That Jesus died as king. And that Jesus died because it was God's plan to rescue us from sin.

And John tells us all this for what reason? What difference should this make to you and me?

Verse 35. Here is John's reason for writing.

Verse 35 "The man [that's John] who saw it [Jesus' death] has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that [What? So that] you also may believe."

This story is here that you and I also may believe. Believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the King. Believe that Jesus died for our sin.

John 20:31 "and that by believing [we] may have life in his name."

Life. True life, eternal life. In Jesus.

Now, I think there's three possible ways you and I might respond today?

First, you could say thanks, but no thanks. I've enjoyed today, but Jesus isn't for me. God does say that our choice comes with consequences. That it's a life and death choice. But each of us are free to decide for ourselves.

Second, you could say I'D like to know more. You're not convinced, though you'd like to investigate further. We'd encourage you to keep coming along on Sunday and ask questions. Come chat. We also have a course over six Wednesday nights coming up soon called 'Christianity Explored'. It's designed to help people investigate Jesus. And to do so over a good meal, without being put on the spot, and with the freedom to ask any questions.

Third, you may perhaps be convinced. You're saying; ' I get it! Jesus is king. He died for my sins. He offers life in heaven forever.' You're saying; ' Jesus is king. And I want Jesus to be my king.'

If that's where you're at. You're making a life-changing decision. And I'd suggest you do a couple of things. Talk to god. Say what's in your heart. Say sorry for your sin. Say thanks for dying for my sin. And say to Him 'I believe! I want to trust You as King from this day forward.' I'm going to pray soon, and as you follow along you could echo the words in your own heart. Talk to God. And then talk to us. We'd love to know. And celebrate with you. And we'd love to welcome you into God's family.

Amen.

Table of Contents

FAMOUS LAST WORDS

1. Jesus DIED ON A CROSS

2. Jesus DIED AS A KING

3. Jesus DIED BECAUSE OF GOD'S PLAN

4. THAT YOU ALSO MAY BELIEVE