John 19:1-16
I decided to take a big picture approach, a 20,000 foot view if you will, of John 19:1-16. So instead of focusing in on a specific verse or person, I looked at all the players in this passage--the soldiers, Pilate, Jesus and the Jewish leaders--and tried to put myself in their position. I then considered things like: what were they thinking and feeling? Why did they respond and react as they did? And, have I ever acted similarly?
This was a good exercise for me. My look at the soldiers, Pilate and the Jewish leaders highlighted a number of attitudes and sinful behaviors that I need to be aware of and avoid. Jesus, on the other hand, provided me with several pictures of living and responding with a proper heart.
So what did you learn from the people in this passage? And how can you use it in your daily life? Tami W.
God is in control. I need to trust him. My life is in His hands. I need to stand up and believe what I believe, and live it out.
Some of what I take from this passage: The people in this passage really believed they were right, doing the right thing to crucify Jesus. The devil had blinded them. The soldiers knew they would be put to death if they did not follow directions; they probably believed they were right also, probably until the centurion said "Truly this was the Son of God". I think of the phrase "Righteous Indignation" here. In contrast, Jesus offers Himself willingly, silently, perfectly. He further makes sure his mother will be cared for, he prays for his murderers, us and those killed alongside Him. I have felt that "Righteous Indignation" and been a victim of it. I've also tried to let go of it. It's so much more peaceful when I let the love of God in. Many times harder and confuses some people, but really tiny in comparison to what my Lord did in His infinite love.
First i want to thank you for your time and effort.I have a opportunity once in a while to hear you on the radio with Pastor Wood. Anyway in the passage today i see how God is always in control even amongst all the confusion at the present , this gives me/us great hope,because God is the same yesterday ,today and forever He is our King, our reason to run this incrediable race.
At first I wanted to say what are they doing. But than I had to remember that I (before knowing Christ as my personal Lord and Savior) would have been with them that wanted to see Christ crucified. Christ died for all of our sins. With out his crucifixion we all would be eternally separated from God. What Christ did on the cross shows me that God does care about each and everyone of us. SO it had to happen they way it did. There is a verse that says "Grater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."(John 15:13) And that is what Christ did for us. Awesome stuff. Thank you for your time.
What I discovered most about today's scripture is that Pilate, the soldiers and the Jewish leaders all seem to follow their own understanding about Jesus. Pilate gave in to the Jewish Leaders and the threat of disappointing Ceasar. The soldiers gave in to their selfishness, while the Jewish Leaders were overtly concern about their position and prestige. All of which serves as a reminder to me that my identity is in Christ, not position, prestige or pleasing others or self for that matter.
Thank you Ms. Tami and each of you for doing your part to stir up my memory of the incredible (unbelievable) sacrifice my Lord made in order to save me and every sinner from our sins! In today's reading I find that I need to pause and meditate on the scriptures, especially on the verses that are directly describing Christ's suffering. He truly was and is and always will be the Son of God as the soldier said and I recall the words of John the Baptist when he said: "BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD WHICH TAKETH AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD". Praise and honor be given unto Him today and forever. Amen.